HONG KONG - A designated taxi fleet began on Friday providing COVID-19 patients in Hong Kong with free transportation between their residences and designated clinics.

Patients who have made appointments at designated clinics can book the fleet services through a dedicated booking platform from Friday

The Hong Kong government set up the 300-strong fleet with the taxi industry after taking into account the public health risks of COVID-19 patients traveling on public transport to visit clinics. The number of participating taxis will be adjusted according to the actual demand, according to the Transport and Housing Bureau. 

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Patients who have made appointments at designated clinics can book the fleet services through a dedicated booking platform from Friday.

On Wednesday, the Hospital Authority activated seven designated clinics to provide diagnosis and treatment for patients with mild symptoms of infection while awaiting hospital admission.

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The city has been racing to rein in the marauding fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a record high of 6,116 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday.

A woman gets off from a taxi designated to provide free transportation services to designated clinics for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms, in Hong Kong on Feb 18, 2022. (EDMOND TNAG / CHINA DAILY)

A woman gets on a taxi designated to provide free transportation services for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms to travel between the homes and designated clinics, in Hong Kong on Feb 18, 2022. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

A label that reads "Designated for COVID fight. Booking needed" is displayed on a taxi designated to provide free transportation services for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms to travel between the homes and designated clinics, in Hong Kong on Feb 18, 2022. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

People get off a taxi designated to provide free transportation services for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms to travel between the homes and designated clinics, in Hong Kong on Feb 18, 2022.(CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

A man and a child get on a taxi designated to provide free transportation services for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms to travel between the homes and designated clinics, in Hong Kong on Feb 18, 2022. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

A taxi leaves a clinic designated for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms, in Hong Kong on Feb 18, 2022. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

People line up outside a clinic designated for diagnosis and treatment for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms in Hong Kong on Feb 18, 2022. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

People leave a clinic designated for diagnosis and treatment for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms in Hong Kong on Feb 18, 2022. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

A taxi driver of a designated fleet to provide free transportation services for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms disinfects the taxi cabin in Hong Kong on Feb 18, 2022. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

A taxi driver of a designated fleet to provide free transportation services for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms disinfects the taxi cabin in Hong Kong on Feb 18, 2022. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

A taxi driver of a designated fleet to provide free transportation services for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms disinfects his face shield in Hong Kong on Feb 18, 2022. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)