Quarantine estate plan ditched after outcry

A plan to convert an unoccupied public housing estate in Fan Ling for quarantine purposes has been dropped after opposition from the community.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor yesterday announced the end of a plan to turn Fai Ming Estate into an isolation site for those who come into close contact with confirmed patients of the coronavirus.

It would also serve as a temporary dormitory for medical staff, according to the shelved plan.

The plan sparked protests and fierce opposition. On Sunday, the second day of the New Year, a group of Fan Ling residents set up roadblocks and set fire to the lobby of buildings inside the estate by throwing petrol bombs into it.

They also smashed traffic lights at the junction of Fai Ming and Wah Ming roads. Eleven people aged between 16 and 42 were arrested for offences including unlawful assembly, obstructing public officers from carrying out their duty and possession of offensive weapons. They are currently released on bail.

Lam yesterday said she found the vandalism regrettable. The destruction was one of the reasons why the government gave up on the plan, she said.

"It has been a practice in the past to use holiday camps or unoccupied housing estates to house healthcare staff or close contacts of those infected," Lam said.

She added that the government will not consider using any housing estates for quarantine facilities in the future.

The plan caused concerns among those living in nearby public housing estates, such as Yung Shing Court and Cheong Shing Court.

Lawmaker Edward Lau Kwok-fan, member of Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, met with Lam alongside resident representatives yesterday and submitted signatures by residents of Yung Shing Court and Cheong Shing Court opposing the plan to Lam.

Earlier, the Centre for Health Protection said that requisitioning holiday villages for quarantine purposes would be its priority.

Apart from Lady MacLehose Holiday Village in Sai Kung, which has already been turned into an isolation camp, the Lei Yue Mun Park and Holiday Village is also readily available.

Health authorities have started preparing the Po Leung Kuk Jockey Club Pak Tam Chung Holiday Camp in Sai Kung to house asymptomatic close contacts.

erin.chan@singtaonewscorp.com