Several principal officials today visited different districts to distribute anti-epidemic service bags to citizens.

The service bags contain surgical masks, proprietary Chinese medicines, rapid antigen test (RAT) kits, a booklet on COVID-19 epidemic prevention and a message card.

Secretary for Development Michael Wong gave out bags to residents in Quarry Bay, including grassroots families.

He noted that the Development Bureau and the works departments have stayed united and spared no effort in fighting the epidemic.

“With the staunch support of the central government, the intensive co-ordination of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the relentless effort of the construction team, the first batch of six community isolation facilities constructed with Mainland support has been completed and handed over, providing about 20,000 beds to Hong Kong.”

The two community isolation facilities under construction in Penny's Bay and Kai Tak will provide an additional 20,000 beds, Mr Wong added.

Handing out service bags to over 300 households in an old building in Kwun Tong, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Dr Law Chi-kwong said that looking after seniors in their homes is as important as enhancing support to residential care homes during the epidemic.

“I am grateful to fellows in the sector for maintaining essential services including community care, residential care, family and short-term food assistance as far as possible under strict infection control, providing the necessary support to the disadvantaged amid the epidemic.”

Meanwhile, Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang distributed service bags to residents of a "three-nil" building in Wong Tai Sin.

Mr Tsang said: “We thank the central government for providing staunch support with anti-epidemic supplies to meet the needs of Hong Kong.

“Facing the severe epidemic situation, the Hong Kong SAR Government has been taking all necessary measures to stabilise the epidemic situation and make this the most important mission.”

Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip also visited "three-nil" buildings in Tsuen Wan to give out service bags to residents.

He said: “I believe each of our colleagues has to learn more about these families' actual situations and living conditions so that we understand their needs in our provision of services and formulation of policies in a bid to roll out policies, measures and services that are helpful to them.”

The officials appealed to the public to conduct RATs for the three consecutive days from April 8 to 10 after receiving the service bags so as to cut virus transmission as early as possible.