The Transport & Housing Bureau today said a designated bus fleet will provide transport to people who tested positive for COVID-19 to community isolation facilities from February 21.

It said it has liaised with the trades of non-franchised buses as well as public light buses to set up the designated bus fleet, with about 200 light and medium-sized buses participating and the fleet size will be adjusted according to the actual demand.

The move is to alleviate the demand pressure for the Fire Services Department (FSD)’s ambulance service and to facilitate early admission of people tested positive for COVID-19 but with no or mild symptoms to the community isolation facilities, the bureau added.

When people tested positive for COVID-19 can be transferred to the community isolation facilities as advised by the Department of Health’s Centre for Health Protection, the FSD will divert cases to the designated bus fleet for transporting them from their residences to the community isolation facilities.

The designated fleet will only transport relevant persons to the designated community isolation facilities and will not provide other services.

Specific labels will be affixed on the bus bodies for public identification.

The Government will provide to the operators and drivers of the designated fleet with anti-epidemic guidelines.

Designated fleet drivers must wear protective equipment, including protective face shields, masks and protective gowns, and fully disinfect the compartments every day.

They also have to perform a daily rapid antigen test before providing services. Only those who have tested negative for the virus can provide services.

The Government thanked the trades for organising the designated fleet service in this difficult time, contributing immensely to the anti-epidemic efforts.