Govt Should Have Used Hotels For Quarantine: Expert

A leading microbiologist, Ho Pak-leung, on Monday accused the government of inaction in failing to secure hotels to use as isolation facilities for close contacts of Covid-19 patients.

Health officials decided last week to send those in quarantine to their homes four days early, for them to complete the 14-day process from home after they've tested negative for the virus.

This was intended to free up space at quarantine centres.

But Ho said this is not the best arrangement, and the government should have increased the capacity of quarantine centres.

He said Singapore's experience of more than 200 cases in a single day showed that the situation can change rapidly.

The Hong Kong University microbiologist has pushed for the government to take tougher action to tackle invisible transmission of the virus in the community.

Last week he said this should involve more stringent enforcement of restrictions against gatherings of more than four people in public, or completely shutting down restaurants or allowing them to serve takeaway meals only.

He also called on the government to consider making it mandatory for people to wear face masks in public.