SIMIC

The Hong Kong Container Terminal Operators Association (HKCTOA) said in a statement that the port remains open while members "are working closely with the government to take all necessary actions to contain the virus spread within the port area.

"It is important to keep the port operational as it is crucial for the daily life of all Hong Kong people as it brings in essential goods such as food products, medical supplies and other daily necessities."

Thirty-three of the 63 workers infected by the virus worked for Wang Kee operations company and they shared a common rest area.

A spokesperson of HKCTOA said: "We understand that the concerned contractor has been withdrawn from the facility and the Centre for Health Protection has arranged all of its staff to be isolated for quarantine. The concerned rest area has also been disinfected and is no longer in use."

The association noted that there are a number of contractors at the Kwai Tsing container port covering a total land area of 279 hectares.

"Workers mainly work separately and staff of the concerned contractor had little interaction with workers of other companies," the association stressed.

Moreover, terminal operators have put in additional resting areas and separated workers by groups to substantially reduce risks of cross-contamination, the spokesperson added.

"All members of the Association have taken stringent measures to ensure the health and safety of workers in the terminals and are making concerted efforts to minimise any impact to port users.

"We have also worked with the Centre for Health Protection to make available COVID-19 test kits for all staff members and contractor's workers in the port," the spokesperson added.