Barrister tests positive for Covid-19 inside a courtroom

A barrister took a Covid-19 rapid antigen test in front of everyone inside a courtroom on Friday and saw two red lines appeared on the testing stick, suggesting possible coronavirus infection.

The barrister involved in this incident is Yeung Yeuk-chuen, representing his client charged with conspiracy to defraud in Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts on Friday morning, according to the report by Sing Tao Daily, The Standard's sister publication.

The 15-day trial was supposed to begin on Tuesday but was adjourned twice due to document issues, sources said. On Thursday, deputy magistrate Raymond Wong Kwok-fai had asked both representatives of the prosecution and defense to undergo rapid testing at home before heading to the court building the next day.

Yet, Yeung arrived at the court building on Friday morning without having himself tested the day before. As requested by the prosecution, Yeung took the test inside the courtroom on his desk before the trial began and the testing stick showed two red lines, suggesting possible infection.

Yeung didn't leave the courtroom and reported his testing result to judge Wong, who immediately slammed him and asked, “Why didn't you take the Covid test at home yesterday?”

Wong didn't let Yeung explain and adjourned the case to next Monday straight away.

According to the website of the Bar Association, Yeung has been practicing in Hong Kong since 1990.