Socialite Celia Wong convicted following party scandal
Socialite and Wing Yuen Tea House heiress Celia Wong was on Friday found guilty of lying to health officials about her movements around Hong Kong around the time she joined a scandal-hit party two years ago where guests came down with Covid. Government officials and political heavyweights were also among those attending the birthday party for former National People's Congress member Witman Hung, at a Wan Chai restaurant on January 3, 2022. The gathering sparked an outcry over mask rules being breached and some guests ignoring rules on using the LeaveHomeSafe app, at a time when Hongkongers were being told to maintain social distancing. Wong, 38, tested positive for the virus after the party, but gave officials false information regarding locations she had been to around that time, including by claiming she headed to the gathering from her home and failing to reveal she had been to Connaught Garden in Sai Wan that day. The socialite had pleaded not guilty to four counts of knowingly giving false information to health officers, claiming that her cognitive function had been affected by her Covid infection. Kowloon City deputy magistrate Ophelia Yap rejected that argument and ruled that Wong's testimony was unreliable and contradictory. Sentencing was adjourned to March 4. Wong was released on bail of HK$1,000 and banned from leaving Hong Kong.