Coronavirus Hong Kong: Kai Tak Cruise Terminal could become isolation facility for mild cases, makeshift hospital planned for Penny’s Bay, sources say

Hong Kong’s deserted Kai Tak Cruise Terminal could soon be converted into another facility for isolating the tens of thousands of Covid-19 patients still waiting to be admitted to hospital, the Post has learned, as the need to free up beds for higher-risk cases becomes increasingly urgent.

A source familiar with the arrangements also said a top-level tripartite coordination group led by top Beijing official Xia Baolong is expected to make a final call on building a makeshift hospital at Penny’s Bay in the next few days.

Meanwhile, the central government’s liaison office in the city has started mobilising the private sector in the anti-pandemic fight, with director Luo Huining set to deliver a speech alongside Hong Kong’s biggest developers on Friday afternoon via video conferencing.

The seminar first came to light after Victor Li Tzar-kuoi – the eldest son of Li Ka-shing and chairman and managing director of the tycoon’s flagship company – issued a statement saying he would not be able to attend as he was being tested for Covid-19 after displaying symptoms.

Speakers at the event include representatives from leading developers such as Raymond Kwok Ping-luen of Sun Hung Kai Properties, Adrian Cheng Chi-kong of New World Development and Henderson Land Development’s Peter Lee Ka-ki.

Another son of Li Ka-shing, Richard Li Tzar-kai, will also attend the meeting on behalf of the telecommunications industry.

As of Thursday, more than 22,000 residents who had tested positive for Covid-19 were still waiting to be admitted to hospitals or isolation facilities, according to a Post estimate.

Health authorities have already relaxed the discharge criteria to free up more beds, but officials are still exploring novel options for boosting the number of isolation spots for patients with mild cases.