The Social Welfare Department (SWD) today announced that the holding centre at Tin Shui Wai Sports Centre will commence operation on August 25 in light of the rising number of COVID-19 cases.

With 130 beds, basic meals and nursing support, the centre will receive, free of charge, elderly COVID-19 patients who are asymptomatic or showing mild symptoms.

In addition, noting that some senior citizens and disabled people contracting the virus in the community may lack proper care, the SWD said that on top of receiving COVID-19 patients from residential care homes for the elderly or residential care homes for people with disabilities, its holding centres will also accommodate elderly and disabled patients in the community referred from the Hospital Authority or the Department of Health.

Separately, the Leisure & Cultural Services Department announced that in view of the opening of the Tin Shui Wai holding centre, hirers of the Tin Shui Wai Sports Centre may file for a refund. They should submit a refund application form together with the original booking permit to the Yuen Long District Leisure Services Office in person or by post.