SIMIC

Sixty-three workers at the facility were early this week infected by the virus, blamed on cramped conditions in common rest areas. However, the terminals remained open despite the coronavirus outbreak.

"All members of the Association have taken prompt action to address the conditions of rest areas for contractor workers. They have worked closely with all the relevant contractors to provide additional facilities for use by contractor workers," a HKCTOA spokesperson said.

Additional facilities including vacant indoor spaces and other modular units have been made available to limit the number of beds in each area, giving adequate space for social distancing among workers.

"Terminal operators are also working with contractors to put in place a number of measures to minimise cross-infection which include daily cleaning with 1:99 diluted bleach water and thorough disinfection on a weekly basis, installation of air purifiers, and provision of disinfectants and hand sanitisers to workers," the spokesperson added.

At the same time, terminal operators are making all efforts to distribute test kits and return specimens for testing from people working at the terminals as soon as possible. As of Wednesday, the association had already returned more than 3,800 specimens for testing - representing more than 80 per cent of the first batch of test kits received last week. "We expect to complete the rest within this week," the spokesperson added.