- New proposal allows more people to be quarantined, at lower cost and faster rate, than government-approved scheme, proponents say
- Government has already signed off building 750 mostly prefabricated units at three locations in city
A group of architects and town planners in Hong Kong have proposed quarantining people in tents rather than prefabricated buildings for the fight against the coronavirus.
Backers of the rival scheme have said that would allow the authorities to set up anti-contagion camps faster and at a lower cost than under existing plans for the city.
It was put forward after the government revealed it had awarded more than HK$330 million worth of contracts to build or convert 750 mostly prefabricated units at three locations in Hong Kong.
New Hong Kong quarantine camps to cost more than HK$330 million
Some 120 units will be ready in Lei Yue Mun Park and Holiday Village by mid-March, but it is estimated the remainder will not be operational until April or May.
Town planner Camille Lam Tsz-kwan, representing five members from the architectural and planning sector, said they had estimated it would cost less than HK$100 million to set up 1,200 tents as well as water, electricity and sewage infrastructure.
"There are a few groups of people returning from areas hit by the disease, including (up to) 4,000 Hongkongers stranded in Hubei province," Lam said. "We face a substantial need for quarantine facilities."
While the prefabricated units could take over a month to install, Lam said the tents " each three metres in width and length and made of high quality material " could be up and running within three weeks, and could be reused after disinfection.
Tents would also be easier to remove once the facilities were no longer needed and would generate less construction waste, the group said.
Hongkongers flying home from Hubei include 14 pregnant and 11 taking DSE
Under the counterproposal, the tents will be built with PVC sheets and steel frames, and can withstand signal No 3 strong winds.
Lam said similar tents had been used at public events in Hong Kong before, such as the Wine & Dine Festival and Formula E races, but the group had not found a precedent for them being deployed for quarantine facilities.
Architectural designer Ng Hoi-chi, who is part of Lam's group, noted that London's Frieze Art Fair also used tents as exhibition halls.
"If precious artworks can be placed inside (these tents), I think its safety is believable," Ng said.
As well as having a water and electricity supply, the proposed tent design also includes a wash basin and windows.
It is also possible to connect tents together for private shower and toilet facilities, or cubicles can be set up externally.
The accommodation will also include a fenced area so those under quarantine can go outside, with units at least three metres apart from each other.
Lam said the proposal was submitted last month to government bureaus, including the Food and Health Bureau and Development Bureau, but her group had not heard back from officials.
"We were expecting this reaction, as the government has many concerns with what they are unfamiliar with," Ng said.
Chinese University medical expert David Hui Shu-cheong questioned if the tent proposal was practicable, noting that infrastructure for water supply and sewage would have to be installed.
"The proposal comes too late, and where can we find the space for the tents?" Hui said, adding public housing is instead "ready for use" as quarantine facilities.
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