The Buildings Department today issued a practice note to registered contractors, setting out a new mechanism for sampling scaffold nets in Hong Kong announced last week. The new mechanism applies to scaffold nets used in repair projects, as well as to those used in new building works.

To facilitate the implementation of the new mechanism, the department announced on its website the first batch of designated laboratories and will continuously update the list.

Furthermore, the Construction Industry Council (CIC) is preparing for collective bulk procurement and co-ordinating testing services. The Hong Kong Institute of Construction San Tin Training Ground has been selected as the site for the industry to arrange off-site sampling. The Government and the CIC will work towards having the first batch of scaffold nets reinstalled within a month after procurement and testing.

Independent Committee
​The Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po convened the first meeting today. The committee has formally commenced work.

Support fund
As of noon today, donations received by the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po had reached about $3.5 billion. Combined with the $300 million in startup capital from the Government, this takes the fund to a total of around $3.8 billion.

Accommodation support
As of this morning, a total of 613 residents are staying in hotel rooms through the co-ordination of the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau, and 552 residents are staying in youth hostels/camps. Another 3,503 residents are currently living in transitional housing units provided by the Housing Bureau, units from the Housing Society or Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun.

Currently, there is still a supply of more than 1,000 units that can provide affected residents with longer-term accommodation. The transitional housing and the Housing Society projects in different districts can altogether provide around 400 units at the moment. Moreover, Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun and Runway 1331 at Kai Tak can provide a supply of around 900 units.

The Transport Department has been steering public transport operators to enhance services of franchised buses, green minibuses and residents' services by deploying additional vehicles and manpower to support residents affected by the fire who have been admitted into transitional housing in various districts, facilitating transfers to other services to and from different districts.

Among them, an additional shuttle bus service will be launched connecting Lok Sin Village in Tai Po and Tai Po Market Station; while KMB will extend the service hours of route 75K.

Relief supplies
On the Government's online platform for donated supplies, about 2,000 registrations have been received, with approximately 30% submitted by organisations. Over 29,000 donation items, covering various categories, have been distributed.

Building management
The Government today invoked the Building Management Ordinance and submitted an application to the Lands Tribunal for the dissolution of the existing management committee of the owners' corporation (OC) of Wang Fuk Court. It has also proposed appointing Hop On Management Company under the Chinachem Group as the designated administrator to assist the owners of Wang Fuk Court in handling various management and follow-up matters after the fire.

If the Lands Tribunal approves the application, the Home Affairs Department will establish a dedicated team to work closely with Hop On in closely following up on various aspects of building management. This includes handling works contracts, following up on insurance claims, financial management, and offering support to residents.

Hop On has explicitly stated that it will operate on a pro bono basis for this appointment. At the same time, Nina Wang Charity Management has also expressed that if the Lands Tribunal approves the application, it will donate $5 million to the OC to cover the costs associated with employing lawyers, accountants, or other professional services.