Coronavirus: dozens of Hongkongers fighting quarantine order allowed to stay in their flats overnight after 4,900 sign petitions for home isolation
- Petitions launched by occupants of two housing estates who say they are losing income, the health of elderly residents has been affected, and students are unable to sit exams
- Residents of a housing estate say they are willing to stay put at home for 21 days, wear trackers and share CCTV footage from the building with authorities to ensure compliance
Dozens of residents fighting a quarantine order were permitted to stay at home overnight, after more than 4,900 people signed petitions urging the Hong Kong government to allow occupants of two housing blocks where a coronavirus variant was discovered to isolate in their flats.
The petitions were launched by occupants of the Royalton I in Pok Fu Lam and a block at Caribbean Coast in Tung Chung, with those from the latter, who are already in isolation, saying they were losing income and that the health of elderly residents had been affected. Students were also unable to take university admission exams, they said.
“We are not disputing the quarantine request, we just want to be allowed to do so from where we feel the safest – in our homes,” Royalton resident Jonathan Cummings said, adding he and several neighbours had sent a letter to health chief Sophia Chan Siu-chee asking for the special arrangement.
The Post has contacted the Food and Health Bureau for comment.
Cummings said authorities on Thursday afternoon told residents who refused to leave the building they would be allowed to stay overnight. Around half of the 30 households at the Royalton remained, he added.