Community Isolation Facilities to Significantly Enhance Hong Kong’s Anti-Epidemic Capabilities

To mitigate the fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hong Kong SAR Government has been cooperating to establish eight projects to construct community isolation facilities (CIFs).

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One of them is Penny’s Bay CIF, constructed with Mainland support and recently officially operating since 19 April 2022. The Penny’s Bay CIF is the largest isolation facility, providing around 7,000 units with approximately 14,000 beds.

The contractor, China State Construction, handed over the CIF to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government for operation in phases. The first batch handed over has around 1,000 units and approximately 2,000 beds. The remaining facilities in Penny’s Bay and the sizable CIFs adjacent to the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and the Lok Ma Chau Loop are expected to be handed over to the HKSAR Government for operation within this month and over the next three months.

The handover of the first phase of Penny’s Bay CIF

The Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, inspected the units and facilities of Penny’s Bay. In her speech, she said: “Counting the six CIFs opened earlier, the nine CIFs constructed with Mainland support are set to provide about 50,000 beds. As a result, the anti-epidemic capabilities of Hong Kong would be significantly enhanced, which are incomparable to the shortfall of isolation facilities two months ago.”

The Penny’s Bay CIF is a large-scale facility that comprises a two-storey building, with each unit fitted with an individual toilet and bathroom. Unlike the CIFs opened earlier, Penny’s Bay CIF adopted the Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) method to reduce the overall construction time. The MiC modules were prefabricated in a factory with installed interior decoration, building services and furniture. Upon arrival at the construction site, the units will be ready for use after simple installation and connection to fresh water, electricity and sewerage systems.

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In addition, Penny’s Bay CIF is well equipped to allow the HKSAR Government to cater to different community members’ anti-epidemic needs and expectations. The remaining phases to be completed will provide various connecting units and accessible units to meet the needs of other families and persons with disabilities. — Construction+ Online