Local coronavirus case numbers have exploded, with at least 10,000 people waiting to be admitted to hospital and thousands more expected to join the list every day.

With the hospital system reeling, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Tuesday morning said authorities would designate government clinics to handle outpatient treatment for those with mild symptoms and approach the taxi industry to arrange transport.

The Hospital Authority has asked those who test positive not to rush to seek treatment, instead they should wait at home for further instructions.

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Hong Kong's Covid-19 isolation beds 90% full as city records more than 2,000 new cases

Hong Kong's Covid-19 isolation beds 90% full as city records more than 2,000 new cases

Transport sector lawmaker Frankie Yick Chi-ming said the government aimed to roll out the scheme on Friday with a first batch of 200 cabbies.

“The government is still finalising the details and going to make announcements soon. There will be a hotline for patients making bookings with these taxi drivers,” he said.

To protect cabbies, passengers would have to sit in the back, avoid contact with the driver and keep all windows open to maintain air circulation, Chau said.

“The designated taxi drivers will need to wear a mask, plastic protective shield and goggles, and they will need to carry out a rapid test every morning before work, and disinfect their vehicle after every trip,” he said.

Hongkongers forced to wait days for help as hospital beds fill up, Covid cases rise

Chau said apart from the metered fares paid by patients, the industry was asking for special subsidies for the “designated anti-epidemic taxis drivers” and their vehicles.

“These cabbies face a very high risk of infection. Once they get infected, they can’t work for the whole month and they may also infect their families,” he said.

“That’s why the government has to give them a special payment for the task. It should at least pay the cabbies about HK$60,000 per month each for taking up this special task with a rental payment of at least HK$15,000 per month for the vehicle.”

But Chau admitted it was hard to find 400 drivers.

“The taxi industry will be actively asking cabbies to join the scheme over the next few days but honestly it’s not easy,” he said. “After all, this is a very high-risk task and cabbies will easily get infected. They need to weigh up whether it’s worth the risk.”

Ng Kwan-sing, vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Taxi Council, an alliance of 42 groups, said Transport Department officials were still working out the details, including protective measures, the booking arrangement and special payments.

“We think this scheme is feasible but we hope the special payments can safeguard the drivers’ income as they face a very high risk,” he said. “If the payment is reasonable, I believe many cabbies will be willing to join the scheme.”

Hong Kong Taxi Owners’ Association chairman Wong Po-keung said the government should pay the cabbies at least HK$58,000 a month, similar to what tour bus drivers received for transporting Covid-19 patients.

“The authorities should also pay at least HK$20,000 per month for renting the vehicle from the owner and buy an insurance policy for them,” he said.

Wong said taxi drivers’ income had dropped by at least half amid the escalating fifth wave, leaving them with about HK$10,000 a month. “If the special payment is attractive, I believe many young drivers will be willing to take this risk,” he said.

Wong said the government should set up a crash course for drivers on handling Covid-19 patients to ensure their own safety and avoid disputes.

Cabby Michael Man, 31, said he had “absolutely” zero interest in the scheme.

“Why is the government asking taxi drivers to bear this risk? It is completely outrageous and nonsensical,” he said. “We also have our own family. If I get infected, I won’t have any income for a month but I have to pay rent for my taxi. Besides, I may infect my family members too.”

He added: “Money can’t compensate for the loss of our health.”