# COVID-19 infection control practices in designated quarantine hotels in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region SAR (China), 2020–2022: key elements in preparing for the next pandemic

## TL;DR

This paper examines how designated quarantine hotels in Hong Kong helped control the spread of COVID-19 and offers recommendations for future pandemics.

## Contribution

The study identifies key operational and infrastructural requirements for quarantine hotels to prevent disease transmission.

## Key findings

- Designated quarantine hotels in Hong Kong successfully minimized community transmission of COVID-19.
- Only 0.003% of quarantined travelers and two staff were affected by outbreaks.
- Recommendations include improved ventilation, drainage systems, and CCTV for compliance monitoring.

## Abstract

Despite the widespread use of designated quarantine hotels to minimize the
transmission of COVID-19 from imported cases, there is scant literature on
the infrastructure and operational requirements of such facilities.

Travellers to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) (China) were
required to undergo quarantine in designated hotels for up to 21 days. Prior
to operation, all these hotels were modified and hotel staff received
structured training in infection control practices.

We conducted retrospective reviews of the procedures and operational
protocols that were followed to convert and manage commercial hotels as
quarantine hotels during the early part of the pandemic. We also reviewed
the training provided and compliance monitoring. Finally, we reviewed
intra-hotel outbreak investigations that were conducted between April 2021
and June 2022.

Designated quarantine hotels received 842 510 quarantined travellers
from December 2020 to October 2022. Ten outbreaks were reported, affecting
28 guests (0.003%) and two staff. Prompt epidemiological investigation and
action stopped further transmission.

In Hong Kong Special Administrative Region SAR (China), designated quarantine
hotels successfully minimized COVID-19 transmission from imported cases to
the community and should be considered as part of integrated response plans
for future pandemics. Based on our COVID-19 pandemic experience, we
recommend specifying requirements for quarantine centres and hotels to
ensure adequate ventilation inside guest rooms and corridors, functioning
drainage systems and the adoption of stringent infection control practices.
We also recommend the installation of closed-circuit television cameras in
all common areas to support compliance monitoring and outbreak
investigation.