The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr John Lee, this morning (March 13) visited the fourth community isolation facility (CIF) constructed with Mainland support at Ma Sik Road, Fanling. The facility is located at Fanling North New Development Area and has been built on land lent by developers to the Government for the swift construction of temporary isolation facilities.

     Upon arrival, Mr Lee attended a handover seminar with Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (LOCPG), Mr Yin Zonghua and the Chairman of the contractor, China State Construction International Holdings Limited. Also joining the seminar were the Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau; the Under Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Chui Tak-yi; the Director of Architectural Services, Ms Winnie Ho; and the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Tony Ko.

     Afterwards, Mr Lee inspected the beds and units for emergency isolation at the Fanling CIF, and was briefed by representatives of China State Construction International Holdings Limited and government staff on the equipment installed at the CIF and its operation.

     The Security Bureau's anti-epidemic task force introduced and demonstrated the electronic self-registration service to Mr Lee. The Security Bureau has, according to recent operating experiences, introduced an electronic self-registration form to ensure that occupants can obtain access to their rooms as soon as possible upon arrival and to streamline the admission process. The occupants will need to scan a QR code and fill in a simple electronic form with their mobile phones after being assigned a room. The form also includes dietary requirements and emergency contacts to better cater for the occupants' needs. The whole process is simple and convenient.

     Mr Lee praised the task force for adopting a humanised management approach to take into account occupants' feelings during isolation, and making good use of technology to raise management efficiency and optimise the admission process. He affirmed the task force's continuous efforts to improve efficiency.

     After commencing operation, the Fanling CIF will provide approximately 350 rooms and 1 000 beds for emergency isolation purposes.

     Mr Lee said, "I sincerely thank the Central Government for supporting the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government to construct the CIFs. The epidemic situation in Hong Kong remains dire. As the strongest backup for the HKSAR Government, the Central Government has rendered staunch support to the city. Together with the effective co-ordination by the LOCPG and the efforts of the construction personnel from the China State Construction International Holdings Limited, who work around the clock, four CIFs providing a total of 8 900 additional beds for emergency isolation were handed over to the HKSAR Government in less than two weeks' time. This facilitates the isolation of confirmed cases to prevent further infection to their family members and members of the community, assisting Hong Kong in achieving the anti-epidemic strategy of 'early identification, early isolation and early treatment'."

     Mr Lee also expressed gratitude to the property developers for lending three private lots (the land in San Tin, Yuen Long, lent by Sun Hung Kai Properties and Henderson Land Development; the land at Ma Sik Road, Fanling, lent by New World Development; and the land in Tam Mi, Yuen Long, lent by Sun Hung Kai Properties) for the Government to increase the supply of CIFs in a short period of time. It represents that society is fighting the epidemic in solidarity by leveraging individual and corporate strengths, with a view to winning the anti-epidemic battle so that people can resume their normal lives as soon as possible.

     Regarding a photo circulating on the Internet about a toilet with its ceiling collapsed in a CIF, Mr Lee said that the photo conveyed false information, and he strongly condemned such destructive acts as the community's common enemy in the fight against the epidemic. Society should also condemn such acts, which the law enforcement agencies will take action against in accordance with the law. He appealed to members of the public to heed the information disseminated by the Government and not to be misled by rumours or false information.

Ends/Sunday, March 13, 2022
Issued at HKT 19:23

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