Chief Secretary John Lee today visited the community isolation facility (CIF) in Tsing Yi after attending a seminar to firm up the detailed arrangements for handing over the facility from the contractor to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

Mr Lee met Liaison Office of the Central People's Government (LOCPG) in the Hong Kong SAR Deputy Director Chen Dong and representatives of contractor China State Construction International Holdings during the seminar to discuss the handover arrangements.

Constructed with the Mainland's support, the CIF in Tsing Yi is the first facility completed in just seven days. It will offer around 3,900 additional beds for emergency isolation, mainly for COVID-19 patients with no or mild symptoms.

In addition to accommodating actual isolation needs, the facility is equipped with common facilities including bathrooms and toilets. Such an arrangement is similar to those in the community treatment facility at AsiaWorld-Expo and public hospitals, meeting the requirements of public health control.

The Hong Kong SAR Government will commence operation of the facility after its handover.

Mr Lee then visited the Tsing Yi facility together with Secretary for Development Michael Wong and several officials. They were briefed by relevant bureaus and departments about the preparatory work on the daily management of the facility, as well as the preparation and support for medical personnel who will provide services at the facility.

While chatting with the Hospital Authority's medical personnel, Mr Lee showed support for them and expressed gratitude for their services at the facility which will soon be in operation.

He encouraged members of the Security Bureau's anti-epidemic task force and the Civil Aid Service to be dedicated in their duties in providing necessary supplies and appropriate support to people staying in the facility.

The Chief Secretary also went to Lok Ma Chau and the former site of The Boxes in San Tin to inspect the construction progress of two other community isolation and treatment facilities being constructed with the Mainland's support.

He thanked colleagues in various departments and contractors for their close co-operation in providing a large number of additional CIFs for Hong Kong within a short period of time.

He also requested relevant departments to strengthen communications and respond promptly to ensure the smooth operation of the facilities after they have come into service.

Mr Lee said he is very grateful to the central government for its support measures and the LOCPG for its all-out co-ordination for Hong Kong in the fight against the epidemic.

The Hong Kong SAR Government will make good use of the country's support and rally the community's efforts to win the battle against the virus and stabilise the epidemic as soon as possible, he added.