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Hong Kong Sports Institute
SportHong Kong

Coronavirus: Sports Institute sprays Hong Kong-invented disinfectant across entire facility to protect against Covid-19

  • The Germagic Thyme coating is developed jointly by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Chiaphua Industries Limited
  • The Fo Tan sports academy houses up to 200 athletes and coaches who are unable to leave because of Hong Kong government restrictions

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HKUST-CIL adviser Hamilton Hung sprays Germagic disinfectant on surfaces of the gym of the Hong Kong Sports Institute. Photo: Germagic
Nazvi Careem

Hong Kong Sports Institute officials are hoping the application of a locally developed disinfectant will keep their elite athletes and coaches safe during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The entire Fo Tan facility was sprayed with Germagic Thyme over the weekend – an antimicrobial agent developed jointly by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), led by professor Yeung King-lun and Chiaphua Industries Limited.

“[We] have cooperated with HKUST in many aspects. We decided to use [the disinfectant] hoping

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to enhance the prevention of the epidemic at the Sports Institute,” said Ron Lee Chung-man, the HKSI’s director of community relations and marketing. “We have applied the coating to all public areas of the Sports Institute and hope that all athletes and staff will have a safer training and working environment.”

Up to 200 athletes, coaches and staff are in the HKSI observing the Hong Kong government’s restricted movement rules and social distancing.

Three of its athletes – all from the karate squad – tested positive for the coronavirus that causes the Covid-19 disease, with one of them – Tsang Yee-ting – having recovered after a month in hospital and now back living in the institute.
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