Officers from various units worked long hours under tremendous stress during the Quarantine Operation at the Metropark Hotel in Wan Chai, doing their best to assist the Department of Health in preventing the spread of the swine influenza (A/H1N1) in Hong Kong.

When the Quarantine Operation started on the evening of May 1, the Force's experience gained from handling the SARS outbreak in March 2003 came into play and stood officers participating in the operation in good stead.

While the Quarantine Operation was underway, the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, in an open letter dated May 5, expressed his personal thanks to all taking part in the operation for their dedication and commitment "under such trying circumstances during this current health scare".

"Even though we are once again facing the threat of a new disease, and all the uncertainties that brings about our own personal safety, staff on the frontline of this battle have been as selfless as ever in their desire to serve the community.

"For this you have my deepest gratitude," said Mr Tsang in his letter.

To find out how officers went about their jobs during the Quarantine Operation, OffBeat has talked to three officers from Wan Chai Division - Sergeant Yam Chung-yi, Police Constable Chan Ting-pong and Woman Police Constable Cheung Yan-yan. They all see their participation in the operation as "a big challenge and a great experience", despite the hardship they had gone through.

SGT Yam, from Wan Chai Division's Task Force, had just finished assisting in policing a May Day procession when he was called to the scene of the Quarantine Operation. With memory of what the Force had done in the SARS outbreak, he was psychologically prepared for what he would have to do.

As he expected, SGT Yam worked for nearly 12 hours per day on the first two days of the Quarantine Operation. Deployed outside the hotel's main entrance, his main duties were barring anyone from leaving the hotel and registering anyone entering the hotel which involved plenty of communication and explanation. On top of these, SGT Yam also set up a passageway within the cordoned area for pedestrians, and ensured that the nearby bus stop re-opened when the situation permitted.

At the same time, he was also busy explaining to many persons wanting to enter the hotel what was going on inside and the consequence of entry - confinement until after the Quarantine Operation.

SGT Yam is pleased that many members of the public were behind the police during the operation. "The Chinese Methodist Church opposite the hotel was kind enough to make a hall available for officers' meal breaks and to provide toilet facilities for officers on duty. And some members of the public were generous with encouragement for officers," he noted.

On the first day, WPC Cheung worked inside the hotel from 11 pm to 10 am the next day, mainly registering the persons being sent to hospital. "In a matter of about two hours, over 60 persons were escorted to hospital," she noted.

To ensure that every hotel guest was aware of the Quarantine Operation, WPC Cheung knocked on the door of every room on each floor. During this process, she came across a businessman who was upset of being unable to sign an important business deal, as well as a woman from the Mainland, who complained that her young daughter was unable to attend an important examination in Hong Kong. Like SGT Yam, WPC Cheung had to do a lot of explanation, which in the end helped console the guests and put their minds at ease.

After working for one day at a post on Hennessy Road within the cordoned area outside the hotel, PC Chan was deployed inside the hotel to guard the entrance and register anything being sent into the hotel.

PC Chan also came across guests in the hotel who were initially upset and angry at the situation they were in. However, by showing sympathy, patience and offering assistance in whatever way he could, PC Chan found the guests eventually showed appreciation of what they were doing - facilitating execution of the Quarantine Order and helping them get through the quarantine period.

The finale

Finally, the Department of Health lifted the Quarantine Order at 8:30 pm on May 8, following which was the final phase of the operation - dispersal of the 208 hotel guests.

To ensure smooth departure of these people, officers implemented road closures and diversions as well as management of a large number of media representatives at the scene. Detailed planning well in advance, and the excellent co-operation among officers from various police formations, contributed to a smooth execution. What's more, the dispersal had not brought undue inconvenience to other members of the public - something officers have taken pride of.

Officers also have a hectic time outside the hotel