Some 15,000 addresses have people quarantined: govt

Some 15,000 addresses have people quarantined: govt

Natale Ching reports

The government revealed on Friday that people are now being quarantined at some 15,000 addresses across the city, as it sought to explain why an official list for the public is not yet available.



Health Secretary Sophia Chan said at a news conference that the authorities are "very busy" at the moment, but they are in the process of compiling such a list.



Calls for more information on the extent of Hong Kong's quarantine arrangements come after a document surfaced on social media, apparently revealing about 6,000 buildings where people are isolating themselves to help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.



From February 8, people who arrive in Hong Kong from the mainland are required to stay at their homes or designated accommodation for 14 days, to try to prevent further spreading of the virus.



In addition, people believed to have come into close contact with Covid-19 patients are also being quarantined.



As well as home quarantine, the city has opened camps, while people who have returned to Hong Kong from the virus-ravaged Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan are being kept at a newly built housing estate in Fo Tan.



Civic Party lawmaker Kwok Ka-ki said the government should disclose information on the home quarantine locations as soon as possible.



“They don’t have any reason not to disclose this very important information to the public. I urged them to release [information], on a daily basis, because this will be important to equip all the people in Hong Kong to protect themselves,” he said.