Construction of facilities in Lok Ma Chau Loop carried out at full speed
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To increase the number of community isolation and treatment facilities in Hong Kong within a short period of time, the HKSAR Government has announced earlier that relevant construction works would be carried out at nine locations with the full support of the Central Government. Among them is the project in the Lok Ma Chau Loop, for which the HKSAR Government expresses gratitude to the Central Government for designating China Construction Science and Industry Corporation to be responsible for the relevant works. The project in the Lok Ma Chau Loop involves the building of a hospital for emergency use of about 1 000 beds, as well as community isolation and treatment facilities providing about 10 000 beds.
Owing to the severity of the epidemic situation, and to safeguard the lives and health of Hong Kong people, the project in the Lok Ma Chau Loop has to be completed as soon as practicable, and the relevant works are proceeding at full speed. The works personnel of both sides agreed, after thorough discussions, that it is of utmost importance to the early completion of the project to build temporary bridges in the boundary area of the Lok Ma Chau Loop connecting to the Shenzhen boundary to allow point-to-point conveyance of construction personnel and materials between the fenced-off works site at the Lok Ma Chau Loop and the Shenzhen boundary in the shortest time. As such, the Chief Secretary for Administration has agreed with the necessity of the works in controlling the epidemic, and 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. 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. The temporary bridges will be dismantled after the completion of works. The Development Bureau, the Security Bureau and relevant departments will provide necessary assistance while ensuring effective boundary control, so that the emergency hospital and relevant facilities can be completed as soon as possible.
Various relevant HKSAR government departments are now working closely to carry out the construction works of various anti-epidemic and relevant facilities in full swing.
The HKSAR Government expresses sincere gratitude to the Central Government for its tremendous support, as well as to the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR for its intensive co-ordination efforts, which lead to the rapid progress of the construction projects. The HKSAR Government will continue to put forth its utmost efforts to make the best use of the support of the Central Government, so that the city can overcome the epidemic and Hong Kong people can return to normal life as soon as possible.
Ends/Friday, March 4, 2022
Issued at HKT 11:00
Issued at HKT 11:00
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