Little rest for staff as hotels bugged out amid fear of bed infestations

Ayra Wang

Hotels are concerned about bedbugs and will strengthen room cleaning, said the executive director of the Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners, Caspar Tsui Ying-wai, as he called on the government to be on high alert for a possible outbreak.

Tsui said yesterday that the industry attached great importance to bedbug problems and will strengthen room cleaning.

He urged the government to work with public transportation providers such as airlines and high-speed rails to prevent bedbugs from coming to Hong Kong.

"Passengers could bring bedbugs to Hong Kong as they usually spend hours on aircrafts and ships," Tsui said, adding that the spread of bed bugs is most likely to happen on transportation.

He also proposed the authorities cooperate with hygiene officials overseas as well as raise awareness about bedbugs.

"The government should have a good knowledge about the situation where serious bedbug outbreaks occurred," he said.

There have been, Tsui said, many instances of the bugs being carried over here from southeast Asia, France, Britain and South Korea.

However, he said, there is no need to worry too much about the problem, as hotels here have strong guidelines for dealing with any bedbug infestation.

EGL Tours executive director Steve Huen Kwok-chuen said his agency has requested all South Korean hotels receiving its Hong Kong groups to enhance disinfection.

"We've asked hotels and coach companies in South Korea to steam seats and beds to kill bedbugs, and they have been cooperative," he said.

Huen suggested Hongkongers disinfect suitcases just before they enter their residences, while Tsui reminded people to clean their bags as bedbugs could also hide in them.

Over 30 infestations have been reported in South Korea, which is popular with Hongkongers, since the end of October.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said Wednesday it has distributed promotional leaflets to tourists at the airport and reminded airlines and the Airport Authority to pay attention to hygiene in planes and at Chek Lap Kok.

It also discussed preventive measures with the hotel industry.

"Although bedbugs do not spread diseases, bites may cause skin allergies and itchiness and make people unwell," it said.

Travelers were advised to wash clothes in 60-degree Celsius water upon returning.