Penny’s Bay diary: fine dining, airline food and surviving the famished in-between hours at Hong Kong’s most exclusive quarantine centre

The Post’s managing editor learns that ‘loads and loads and loads of snacks’ are priority No 1 in government lock-up – wasabi-and-soy-flavoured almonds notwithstanding

Also key? Immediately indicating your cuisine choices to staff, lest you be subjected to a Russian-roulette-style culinary experience

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Yes, those pancakes are sitting atop a bed of mashed potatoes. Photo: Brian Rhoads

Published: 11:00am, 20 Dec 2021Updated: 11:35am, 20 Dec 2021

South China Morning Post managing editor Brian Rhoads recently flew home to the United States to attend a memorial service for his late father. After he had already left, the Hong Kong government moved the US into a new high-risk category, meaning he will spend the first of his three weeks of quarantine at the government’s Penny’s Bay facility. Over the next seven days, he will recount his experience. You can read about Day 3 here.

If someone with a case of Covid-19 escapes the cordon of Hong Kong’s quarantine restrictions into the community, local health authorities are known to dramatically cordon off entire flat blocks and unceremoniously ship scores of potential contacts off to the Penny’s Bay government quarantine centre.

As such, not long after Penny’s Bay opened in 2020, some fearful and intrepid city residents assembled and circulated a list of critical items – from electronics and bath towels to cleansers and children’s toys – to have at the ready for a “go-bag” in case one had the misfortune of falling victim to Hong Kong’s quarantine regime.

First on the list? “Loads and loads and loads of snacks”.

In this further instalment of “news you can use”, I’ll try to provide practical advice surrounding food, including what foodstuffs to stock up on before you depart, and what to expect when you arrive at Penny’s Bay for compulsory quarantine. (As one reader commented on my recent column on what to expect from your room, this is more practical advice, less the “Bridget Jones Diary” of my first two entries).

Rule #1: You are going to want to bring snacks. Lots and lots of snacks. Photo: Brian Rhoads

After four full days in Penny’s Bay, I fully subscribe to “loads of snacks” being the top recommendation for anyone suddenly classified by Hong Kong as being from a high-risk country because of the Omicron variant and therefore forced to spend their first week of quarantine in this Spartan government camp.

SCMP Series

Penny’s Bay diary: a stint in Hong Kong quarantine

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