New Tuen Mun public housing estates could be turned into quarantine centers: sources

The government is planning to convert two new Tuen Mun public housing estates into quarantine centers to curb the city’s coronavirus outbreak, as the city's quarantine facilities were filled to the brim.

According to Sing Tao Daily, the sister publication of The Standard, the two housing estates are Ching Tin Estate and Wo Tin Estate. They can provide up to 9,500 units for quarantine purposes.

The two housing estates were originally scheduled to begin residential intake in May. Turning them into quarantine facilities may delay the moving in of families allocated to the estates.

In February 2020, the SAR government had converted Chun Yeung Estate in Fo Tan – which has 4,800 flats -- into a makeshift quarantine facility. Over 7,700 people who are close contacts of infected patients stayed at the estate.

Anthony Chiu Kwok-wai, Executive Director of the Federation of Public Housing Estates, called for prudence over the use of public housing estates as quarantine facilities.

Chiu said the two housing estates in question are located near populated areas, unlike Chun Yeung Estate. He also said the housing blocks lack basic furniture like bed frames, mattresses, and water heaters.

“The government should exercise caution and take into full account the needs of those quarantined, including food and medical arrangement,” said Chiu.

He also said if the two housing estates are used as quarantine facilities, families originally allocated to units there will have to see their moving in delayed for over a year, further stretching the waiting time for public housing.