Health Officials Grilled Over Kowloon Hotel Concerns

Lawmakers on Friday grilled health officials about safety measures implemented at the Regal Oriental Hotel, again raising questions why it was chosen as a centre to hold those waiting for virus test results.

The hotel in crowded Kowloon City is being used as a holding centre for some arrivals to the city as a similar facility at Asia-World Expo cannot accommodate all visitors.

At a Legco health services panel meeting, lawmakers from the pro-establishment camp and the opposition questioned whether officials are doing enough to protect the residents of the area.

The DAB’s Vincent Cheng and the Democratic Party’s Helena Wong raised concerns about a residential building next to the hotel called Po Sing Court.

They pointed out that hotel staff currently use two floors of the building as their resting and dining places, but nearby residents are worried about a spread of the coronavirus there. The lawmakers said some people have already moved out.

Cheng asked health officials whether the government could ask hotel staff not to use the building for their breaks.

He also called on officials to arrange shuttle buses to MTR or bus stations for people who are allowed to leave the hotel, so they don’t loiter around the neighbourhood.

In reply, Constance Chan, the director of health said hotel staff are equipped with protective gear when cleaning hotel rooms and they do not usually come into contact with people waiting for test results.

But Professional Commons lawmaker Charles Mok again questioned the choice of hotel.

“Why not let them stay in Tung Chung? If you include the hotels in Disneyland and also the two hotels near the airport, there should be more than enough rooms,” he said.

"I think Disneyland has been closed for more than two months, I don’t know how full their hotels are. So why are you so wishy-washy?"

In response, Health Secretary Sophia Chan said some hotels were unwilling to be used as a waiting centre, and the government had to find a site quickly.