URA helps with 56 flats for close contacts

The Urban Renewal Authority has allocated 56 units for tenants and employees who are listed as close contacts to quarantine in so they will not occupy government facilities.

This is in response to Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor's call last week for public organizations to spare their resources on quarantine facilities.

Managing director Wai Chi-sing wrote in his blog yesterday that the URA found at least 56 vacant flats in To Kwa Wan, Sai Ying Pun, Mong Kok and Tai Kok Tsui to be lent to its tenants and employees for quarantine use for free.

"These flats have toilets and kitchens and are in good shape, and we have already prepared a water heater, beds and sheets in those flats, and will provide tenants with daily necessities before they move in," Wai said, which will satisfy the requirements of home quarantine orders.

"The first of these flats was lent out last week, after a member from a family of four tested positive in a rapid test, and other family members that were not infected have moved into our flat to reduce transmission risks," he added.

Those borrowing a flat would have to do a rapid test provided for free by the authority.

"We have also teamed up with Tung Wah Group of Hospitals to provide tenants under quarantine with resource packs, which include sanitizing products, rice, food and personal hygiene products," Wai said.

"We have also arranged for staff to help deliver packages to their door if they opt to order food and daily necessities by themselves, and our staff can also help them do grocery shopping under sufficient manpower," he added.

Wai said the authority has already arranged for contractors to spray anti-virus coatings in 50 buildings.

The authority has also installed a gadget - "U-Trap Refill Automator" - that automatically refills drainage pipe U-traps in 700 flats to help prevent the spread of viruses, and installation in other flats are ongoing.

Wai said a new round of the URA's rent concession scheme is on its way and will last for six months until September, with details provided at a later time.