4 sports centres used as holding centres earlier to be returned to LCSD tomorrow

The Social Welfare Department (SWD) announced today (May 13) that, in light of the easing epidemic situation, four sports centres which had been used as holding centres earlier, namely Choi Wing Road Sports Centre, Shek Kip Mei Park Sports Centre, Harbour Road Sports Centre and Tsuen Wan West Sports Centre, will be returned to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) tomorrow (May 14).

Since February this year, the SWD had set up holding centres in various sports centres and the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal (KTCT) to provide care services for those elderly patients who had contracted COVID-19 with mild symptoms, or recovering frail elderly patients who are assessed by the Hospital Authority as suitable for admission to the centres.

The SWD expresses gratitude to the organisations and teams for their care services and medical support to the centres. Their devotion, professionalism and tireless efforts have provided not only proper care for the elderly patients, but also relief from the huge pressure faced by public hospitals and residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs) at the peak of the epidemic.

The SWD will also be handing the Tin Shui Wai Sports Centre back to the LCSD on May 21, while the Kai Tak Holding Centre at the KTCT will operate until the end of May. The temporary quarantine centre/holding centre set up at Halls 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 of AsiaWorld-Expo will continue operation, with around 1 000 beds to receive residents of RCHEs and residential care homes for people with disabilities who have contracted the disease or been identified as close contacts.

The SWD will continue to monitor the development of the epidemic closely. If necessary and upon liaison with relevant bureaux and departments, the SWD will swiftly mobilise resources and prepare the venues to reactivate the holding centres.