Opinion | How makeshift isolation hospitals can offer a temporary solution to Hong Kong’s housing shortage
- The thousands of cubicles speedily built to isolate Covid-19 patients are due to be decommissioned once the fifth wave is under control
- But repurposing these ready-made units for those awaiting public housing would have a far greater social benefit, as well as reducing waste and cost
With Beijing’s support, Hong Kong has put up some 3,000 prefabricated isolation and treatment cubicles, with about 10,000 beds, across five locations in the span of a few weeks. More are on the way to make up a total of around 17,000 cubicles across seven locations, mostly in the New Territories.
Most of these so-called fangcang, or “square cabin”, hospitals will be decommissioned once the epidemic is under control. We believe that, with the willpower and dedication of the local government and public, plus the many laudable volunteers and NGOs, we will in time tame the virus and resume normal life.
With their modular design (some could also be drawn from the abundant supply of used 6-metre standard shipping containers), these cubicles can be refitted with sanitary, kitchenette and plumbing facilities.
They could either remain in their present locations or be conveniently lifted to other suitable sites to serve those living in dilapidated and unhealthy environments in old urban areas.
