HK Quarantine Tag Found On Taiwan Beach

An electronic bracelet used for people who have been placed under coronavirus quarantine in Hong Kong has been found washed up on a beach in Taiwan.

Emma Wong, a Hong Kong-based artist, posted on social media on Monday that the wristband was found on Qixingtan beach in Hualien. The photo was sent by a friend in Taiwan who found the bracelet during a beach clean-up on Sunday.

It was not clear if the tag was removed by someone in Taiwan or if it had drifted across the ocean.

The government currently uses three types of wristbands to monitor those under quarantine amid the pandemic.

The wristband was first unveiled by the the authorities in February during the early days of the new coronavirus pandemic. The tag is used in conjunction with the government's "StayHomeSafe" mobile app.

In response to enquiries, the office of the chief information officer told RTHK on Tuesday that most of the electronic tags are disposable, and individuals who complete their quarantine can delete the StayHomeSafe app and cut the electronic tag off themselves.

The authorities also confirmed that as of the end of December last year, 410,000 electronic wristbands had been distributed, of which 27,000 – or 6.5 percent – were reusable.

For those using the reusable tags, the government said that when the quarantine period ends they will contact the invidual to arrange for collection of the tag. The individual can either personally return the tag or they can arrange for someone to collect the tag from them.

The Environmental Protection Department said the wristband is not medical waste, and when people have completed their quarantine, it can be disposed of in a covered rubbish bin.