- Despite an inquiry into the Sars outbreak highlighting the need for such premises, there is now a rush to put facilities in place with questions being raised over where money is coming from
Notwithstanding the painful lesson of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) epidemic in 2003, the new coronavirus outbreak has again called into question the city's preparedness to fight deadly diseases.
The rush to build suitable quarantine facilities is a case in point. The belated move amid an escalating crisis is bound to put the government in an unenviable position and invite criticism.
Questions have been raised over both the source of funding and procedures involved. In addition to using some guest houses and new public housing blocks for isolation, the authorities are spending no less than HK$330 million (US$42 million) on building or converting three sites.
The lion's share is to come from the Lotteries Fund, established decades ago to enhance welfare services. Lawmakers are not only unhappy that funding bypassed their scrutiny, but also that projects were awarded to individual contractors without going through the normal tendering process.
Whether a social welfare fund should be used for emergency quarantine facilities is open to discussion. Given the urgency, flexibility is called for.
But the decision to choose two contractors, China Harbour Engineering for building 600 units in Penny's Bay on Lantau Island, and China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) for another 120 units in Lei Yue Mun " at a total cost of HK$264 million, has inevitably raised eyebrows.
The need for such facilities is beyond doubt. Following the evacuation of hundreds of passengers from the infected Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan, the burden is set to rise upon the return of Hongkongers stranded in Wuhan.
The emergence of new local infections each day means the pressure is also growing. Equally worthy of concern is the management of such premises and the well-being of those in isolation.
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The government has got itself to blame for lacking foresight and not being prepared. An inquiry into the Sars outbreak had called for the construction of more suitable medical and health control facilities. Regrettably, the recommendation was not followed up proactively.
As officials rush to put the quarantine centres in place, they also need to ensure value for money.
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