A spokesman for the Security Bureau (SB) said today (March 8) that since the launch of a new mechanism for confirmed patients to contact the Fire Services Department (FSD) through a dedicated line for admission to community isolation facilities, the responses have been favourable with numerous applications being received. As of the small hours of today, around 970 rooms in the Tsing Yi community isolation facility (TYCIF) have been occupied by persons who are in isolation, representing 80 per cent of the available rooms. More patients will be admitted later.
The spokesman said that to let quarantined persons to feel at ease in an unfamiliar environment, the SB will continue to refine its services, including:
1. Actively communicate with occupants by adopting a small-district management and humanised approach, striving to provide appropriate services in response to their comments and needs;
2. Provide appropriate food by taking into account the patient's physical condition. The food supplier will provide four choices of meals with meat and vegetables as well as halal and vegetarian meals every day, and fruit also being served; and
3. Provide disinfectant hand soap in toilets. The cleaning contractor will enhance disinfection and cleaning to ensure better hygiene in the toilets and shower compartments.
In addition, with great support and kind donations from different sectors including local communities, telecommunication companies and media organisations, the following arrangements can be made for the occupants:
1. Provide free daily newspapers and provision of other books and magazines is being arranged;
2. Provide toys for children of families under quarantine;
3. Allow persons under quarantine to view different online entertainment platforms for free; and
4. Set up 5G network coverage through telecommunications companies and provide free local data if needed.
The spokesman stressed that arranging the admission of COVID-19 confirmed patients with no or mild symptoms into isolation facilities can cut transmission chains and stop the spread of the virus in the community. According to the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599), the relevant public officer is authorised to send relevant confirmed patients to community isolation facilities. If an individual refuses to co-operate, he/she may commit the offence of obstructing public officers and is subject to a fine of $5,000 and imprisonment for two months. If a confirmed patient leaves the isolation site during the quarantine period, he/she is also subject to a fine of $5,000 and imprisonment for six months.
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