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The Housing Department has taken immediate action to raise its guard against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in public housing estates and commercial centres in the wake of the confirmed SARS case in Guangzhou.
The Assistant Director of Housing Department (Estate Management), Mr Wong Bay said today (January 6) a series of measures had been adopted to step up cleaning and disinfecting efforts in common areas in Housing Authority's domestic and commercial properties.
Major measures, contained in action plans already issued to the department's frontline staff as well as property management companies, include:
* requiring cleaning contractors to disinfect and clean, with 1:99 diluted household bleach, a wide range of estate facilities under a tight and regular schedule;
* placing doormats with 1:99 diluted household bleach and providing disinfecting fluids at ground floor lobbies of public housing blocks;
* strengthening rodent and pest control with the assistance of Food and Environmental Hygiene Department when required;
* intensifying cleaning in the housing for senior citizens;
* arranging inspections of drainage systems and vent pipes in common areas in public housing estates; and
* distributing pamphlets offering general health advice and guidelines to every household and putting up posters in conspicuous locations.
"These precautionary measures aim to strengthen sanitary conditions in public housing estates and to increase awareness against SARS among our tenants," Mr Wong explained.
"Action will focus primarily on commonly used public facilities such as control panels of lifts, which will be cleaned with a diluted bleaching agent no less than three times a day.
"Refuse rooms and common areas will be cleaned once bi-weekly while playground equipment, recreational facilities and public toilets in public housing estates will be disinfected no less than two times daily," he added.
Meanwhile, cleaning efforts in commercial centres and carparks have also been stepped up. Commercial tenants will be reminded of the importance of environmental hygiene through promotion and publicity.
General guidelines/leaflets on the prevention of SARS will be made available at information counters for commercial tenants and patrons. Guiding notes for special sectors such as health guidelines for the workplace, at school, at homes for the elderly and eateries will be distributed to tenants for reference.
Ends/Tuesday, January 6, 2004
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