LOCAL

Isolation frustration

The latest developments on Sai Kung’s quarantine centres. By Charmaine Ng

Since the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak, Hong Kong has turned multiple holiday camps into quarantine zones for people who may have come into contact with patients diagnosed with the virus. The same sites were used as quarantine facilities during the SARS outbreak in 2002.

People who test positive for the coronavirus are treated in isolation wards in Hong Kong’s hospitals, while the holiday camp quarantine zones are for those who are still awaiting results. According to officials, this arrangement is to lower the risk of the virus spreading. According to the Food and Health Bureau, a total of 300 mobile units will be erected across four sites, including Lei Yue Mun Park and Holiday Village, Lady MacLehose Holiday Village, Pak Tam Chung Holiday Camp and recently added to the list, Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Centre.

However, news of the new isolation centre was not taken lightly by Sai Kung residents. Last month, hundreds of residents took to the streets to protest against the proposal to turn Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Centre into a quarantine site. Marches took place in Sai Kung town centre throughout February, with notable retaliation from the police on February 9. People also

Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Centre Credit: Wikipedia user -Wpcpey

gathered at Chui Tong Road to block the roads with objects.

Residents stated that there were already two quarantine centres in Sai Kung – Lady MacLehose Holiday Village and Pak Tam Chung Holiday Camp – and opposed adding another to the neighbourhood. Many displayed their disapproval of the government, chanting slogans such as “we don’t want Sai Kung to become an epicentre”.

The protest on February 9 ended after riot police closed in near Lakeside Garden and warned the crowd that they were taking part in an illegal assembly. One man suffered head injuries after being subdued and six people were detained by the police.