Coronavirus: mandatory quarantine for all arriving in Hong Kong from mainland China as city leader rebuts claims of slow response

Hong Kong will start requiring all travellers from mainland China to be placed on a mandatory 14-day quarantine in the government’s latest bid to battle the coronavirus amid mounting criticism of a tardy containment strategy.

Confirming an earlier report by the Post, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said the quarantine measures, which will kick in on February 8, would be via special powers invoked under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance.

The containment measure would take effect on Saturday, Lam said, to enable residents affected to make adjustments to their plans, without making clear how the quarantine would be enforced – including where the travellers would stay.

She later said details would be unveiled on Thursday and declined to take answers on where adequate quarantine facilities could be acquired at short notice.

Lam also apologised for an edict she announced the previous day when she said that government officials only wear masks under strict circumstances in a bid to conserve supplies. Her remarks sparked concern that it was confusing and could cause greater panic among the public already anxious about scarce mask supplies.