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The Housing Department has activated the Alert Level of its three-level Emergency Response System relating to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) following confirmed SARS cases on the Mainland.
The Deputy Director of Housing (Estate Management), Mr Lau Kai-hung, said today (May 2) that action to be taken at the Alert Level included stepping up cleansing and disinfection efforts and inspection of drainage system and vent pipes in common areas at domestic and non-domestic properties in public housing estates (PHEs).
"A tighter schedule has been set in place for cleaning contractors to clean up public areas with 1:99 diluted bleaching agent. For example, lift control panels will be sterilised at least three times a day; playground equipment, recreational facilities and public toilets no less than twice a day, while canopies and refuse collection points will be disinfected at least once daily," he said.
"An extensive inspection is also being carried out to drainage systems and vent pipes in common areas in PHEs and repair work will be done promptly if necessary.".
To protect elderly tenants, sterilisation in the Housing For Senior Citizens has also been intensified. "With the assistance of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, rodent and pest control will be strengthened in PHEs when required," Mr Lau said.
The department will put up posters in lift lobbies and distribute leaflets to tenants urging them to stay vigilant and reminding them of the importance of maintaining personal and environmental hygiene.
"We will continue to deter hygiene-related misdeeds among tenants with the Marking Scheme. So far, more than 1,900 tenants have been allotted penalty points for misdeeds such as spitting and littering," Mr Lau said.
Meanwhile, sanitary conditions in commercial centres, markets and carparks will also be strengthened under the Alert Level. Information leaflets on the prevention of SARS are available at information counters for reference by commercial tenants and patrons. Guidance notes for special sectors such as health guidelines at workplace, at school and at home for the elderly and restaurants, are being issued to non-domestic tenants.
Under the three-level Emergency Response System relating to SARS, cleansing and disinfection actions will be further stepped up should SARS alert be escalated.
Ends/Sunday, May 2, 2004
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