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Coronavirus pandemic
OpinionLetters

LettersCoronavirus in Hong Kong: lack of clarity on quarantine puts undue stress on families and children

  • Hong Kong needs clear guidelines on who is likely to be quarantined and consideration of methods other than 21 days in a quarantine centre

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Residents are evacuated from Block 11 of Carmel Cove, Caribbean Coast, in Tung Chung on April 30, after an untraceable preliminary-positive case was found to be carrying a mutated strain. Photo: Edmond So
Letters
Recently, patients and staff from Optimal Family Health had to go into quarantine for 21 days, although some had no contact with the nurse that contracted Covid-19. Then, all residents from 8 Kennedy Terrace were whisked away, some with no notice or even before receiving quarantine orders in writing, as a domestic helper in the building tested positive. Now, residents from over 400 flats at Tower 11, Carmel Cove, have been sent to government quarantine centres for 21 days.

While the Centre for Health Protection plays a critical role in containing Covid-19 in Hong Kong and keeping residents safe, some of its measures are to the detriment of the mental well-being of those sent into quarantine and their families. People are fearful of the repercussions should they be sent to quarantine. They can no longer take precautions to ensure they will not be deemed as a “close contact” as there is no definition of one.

There is no recognition of measures being taken or compliance with CHP guidelines. Due to the new mutant strains, the CHP will no longer “just” do mandatory testing of a building should a positive case be detected, but now sends all residents of the building to quarantine. While a cautious approach is being taken, is this necessary and proportionate?
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Spending 21 days in quarantine without leaving a room, and without fresh air or exercise, is harmful to the mental well-being of children and adults. The importance of protecting the physical health of our most vulnerable is understandable, but so is protecting those sent into quarantine.

This is now exam season for children, and a large number of students taking the International Baccalaureate  petitioned to have their exams cancelled but their arguments were rejected. Hearing that a further building has been sent to mandatory quarantine will add to their stress.

02:32

Penny’s Bay camp to become HKDSE venue for candidates under quarantine

Penny’s Bay camp to become HKDSE venue for candidates under quarantine

It was announced last week that CHP will consider reducing the quarantine period to seven days for close contacts if fully vaccinated for at least two weeks and testing negative. This cannot come fast enough for those in fear or already in quarantine. But what about alternatives, like medical surveillance at home? Is there a need to quarantine away from home?

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