This general view shows the construction site of a community isolation and treatment facilities in the Lok Ma Chau Loop on March 4, 2022. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - The Hong Kong government said it has taken forward “at full speed” the construction of community isolation and treatment facilities in the Lok Ma Chau Loop that are expected to provide around 11,000 beds.

The project is one of the nine announced earlier by the Hong Kong government to increase the number of relevant facilities in the city within a short period of time.

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The construction of all nine projects are supported by the central government. The one located in Tsing Yi was completed in seven days and began admitting patients since Tuesday.

In a statement, a spokesman for the Hong Kong government said that the Lok Ma Chau Loop project includes a hospital for emergency use of about 1,000 beds, as well as community isolation and treatment facilities providing about 10,000 beds.

The Lok Ma Chau Loop project includes a hospital for emergency use of about 1,000 beds, as well as community isolation and treatment facilities providing about 10,000 beds

  In order to complete the project as soon as possible, the Shenzhen and Hong Kong authorities have agreed to build temporary bridges in the boundary area of the Lok Ma Chau Loop to allow point-to-point transfer of construction personnel and materials between the fenced-off works site in the shortest time.

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The temporary bridges will be dismantled after the completion of works, the government spokesman said, adding that the Development Bureau, the Security Bureau and relevant departments will provide necessary assistance while ensuring effective boundary control.

Chief Secretary for Administration John Ka-chiu has agreed with the necessity of the works in controlling the epidemic, the spokesman said. Lee has exercised his authority under the Emergency (Exemption from Statutory Requirements) (COVID-19) Regulation to exempt the construction projects and related personnel and materials within the fenced-off works site from being bound by the relevant laws of the HKSAR, the spokesman added.

The community isolation and treatment facilities in the Lok Ma Chau Loop will provide around 11,000 beds. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

“This will enable the arrival of assistance and resources at full speed, thus ensuring that the works can rapidly proceed and enable the contractor to complete this urgent project as soon as possible,” according to the statement.

The government expressed gratitude to the central government for designating China Construction Science and Industry Corporation to be responsible for the nine projects.