Lok Ma Chau Loop facilities 'ideal' for reverse quarantine

The 10,000-bed community isolation facilities at Lok Ma Chau Loop is the best location for Hongkongers to observe seven days of "reverse quarantine" before going to the mainland, a lawmaker says.

That came as Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu readied for his first mainland trip to Shenzhen and Guangzhou since taking office today and tomorrow. He is expected to discuss border reopening with mainland officials.

The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong's Edward Leung Hei said the Loop facilities have over 10,000 beds in 4,500 rooms of different types, so it suits individuals and families.

"The quarantine in Hong Kong should also follow mainland standards," Leung said. "For example, nucleic acid testing should be carried out every two days or even every day."

With the reverse quarantine allowing people going to the mainland to be quarantined in Hong Kong the hope is that this will ease any travel strains.

The pandemic situation in Hong Kong has however become more serious recently.

And if the rate of severe cases increases and public hospitals are on the verge of bursting, Leung said, authorities should tighten anti-pandemic measures.

Lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun of Roundtable noted that a quarantine-free border reopening with the mainland is not yet possible, but reverse quarantine in Hong Kong and an increased quarantine quota could be achieved.

But Tien is worried that reverse quarantine in Hong Kong could see people getting infected.

Meanwhile, Shenzhen authorities have recorded nine more infections, mostly of the Omicron subvariant BF15, which was found in Shenzhen for the first time.

Hong Kong has yet to report any BF15 infections.

Other cases have involved Omicron BA52, BA521 and BA22 variants.

Shenzhen authorities said the strain is very similar to some reported from outside the country, so the possibility of local infections caused by the virus being imported could not be ruled out.

They also said cases in the outbreak in Shenzhen are infected mainly with the more insidious and transmissible Omicron BA5.

Luohu, Futian and Fugang districts have been under a four-day lockdown lasting until tomorrow. Residents on seven streets must stay at home and a household can only allow one person to leave the flat every other day for necessities.

All enterprises asked employees to work from home and production activities were suspended. Businesses except for supermarkets, pharmacies and medical institutions were closed.

Dine-in services were suspended in the three districts and delivery personnel banned from entering. PCR tests are carried out daily.

stacy.shi@singtaonewscorp.com