Tang: People-centered approach at central govt-built centers

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said on Wednesday the six quarantine facilities built with the help of the central government are run in a people-centered way in order to provide pleasant living conditions for residents.

Speaking at the daily COVID-19 media briefing, Tang said the facilities are managed in blocks, with each block having 30 to 50 people. Only residents from the same household are quarantined in the same room, he said.

Refuting some unfounded allegations against the quarantine facilities, Tang said residents of the facilities have been provided entertainment and publications, as well as children’s toys, in addition to anti-pandemic living necessities.

The government also provides a ride to the nearest MTR or bus station to residents who have completed their quarantine.

Tang stressed that the quarantine order issued by the government is a legally binding document that comes with legal consequence if it is violated.

Those who reported their positive test results to the authorities will receive an SMS message from the Hong Kong Fire Services Department to provide follow-up arrangements. Residents who test positive can also ask to stay in a quarantine center even if authorities deem it unnecessary.

The Security Bureau on Wednesday revealed that the highest occupancy rate in the six quarantine facilities has been 90 percent.

A total 20,000 beds are provided in the six quarantine facilities, which the central government built in about a month.

Among them, 1,100 beds provided in the facility at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities Island have had an occupancy rate of 80 percent in the two days after it began operating.