Coronavirus: Hong Kong opens hotline system for infected residents to arrange transfer to isolation facilities

Priority will be given to those with mild or no symptoms, and people whose living environment is not suitable for home isolation, security chief Chris Tang says

Those who test positive for Covid-19 can send messages to authorities via WhatsApp, email or WeChat to arrange a move to community isolation facilities

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A temporary isolation facility in Hong Kong. Photo: AFP

Published: 12:24am, 7 Mar 2022Updated: 12:52am, 7 Mar 2022

A new hotline system has been set up for Hongkongers who test positive for Covid-19 to contact the authorities to arrange transfer to community isolation facilities.

Priority would be given to those with mild or no symptoms, and people whose living environment was not suitable for home quarantine, security chief Chris Tang Ping-keung said after inspecting a newly opened isolation centre in Tsing Yi on Sunday afternoon.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has tasked the security minister with overseeing the operation of community isolation facilities.

Residents can send messages via WhatsApp to 5233 1833 or the email address [email protected]. They can also contact the authorities by sending messages to the WeChat account fsd_cif.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang. Photo: Edmond So

Tang said he expected the first batch of people using the new service could be sent to isolation facilities as early as Monday if operations went smoothly.

“We shall try to arrange for the people to move to these isolation facilities as soon as possible. We will assess their living environment to decide who is to be sent in first. It will also depend on the availability of rooms and the individual situation of the people,” Tang said.