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Coronavirus pandemic
OpinionLetters

Letters | Hong Kong’s coronavirus response, including quarantine protocol, has been impressive

  • A truly helpful hotline, quick turnaround for incoming passengers at the airport and specimen collection points that are open on Sunday combine to impress

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Arrivals undergo screening for the coronavirus and receive electronic wristbands to monitor their movements during the quarantine period, at Hong Kong airport on March 22. Photo: Nora Tam
Letters

I believe Hong Kong is really doing a great job in its fight against Covid-19. I called up the Centre for Health Protection hotline 2125-1111 on March 28 to clarify some quarantine-related issues. The line was answered within two rings by a very helpful woman. There was no need to press any more buttons to talk to a real person. I was not even prepared to start the conversation so soon!

The following day, I went to the hotel where my mother’s Indonesian helper was staying for the compulsory quarantine, to collect her specimen to be tested for the coronavirus.

I was surprised to learn that, despite the fact that she had received an initial assessment – an explanation about the quarantine requirements, such as the StayHomeSafe Mobile App and wristband, as well as other detailed information delivered in a way she could understand – she was able to leave the airport within two hours of arrival.
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The hotel was also very professional about the arrangement. I called the helper and asked her to leave the specimen (in a vial protected by two plastic bags) outside her room before going up. A member of staff accompanied me to and from the designated floor, and made sure that there was no contact between me and the person in the room. He was the one to press the lift buttons.

In addition to other collection points on weekdays, there are 13 government clinics that are open on Sunday mornings for the collection of the specimen. I thought there would be queues and a long waiting time. To my surprise, the whole clinic was empty, save for two staff at the end of the hall. The usual benches were arranged for maximum segregation. I asked, across the empty hall, where I could deposit the specimen and was alerted to a box placed near the door for the deposit. The whole process was done within seconds, with zero human or other contact.

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