From the start of the outbreak of epidemic in January to April 2020, we undertook the design, construction and installation of over 240 Mobile Modular High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance Filter Units to convert general wards into second-tier negative pressure wards for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.

We stepped up the examination and maintenance of air-conditioning and ventilation systems at 28 public hospitals and over 100 clinics under the Hospital Authority and the Department of Health. From the start of the outbreak in January to April 2020, we helped the Fire Services Department clean and disinfect over 190 ambulances and installed additional higher-efficiency air filters in the rear air-conditioning systems of over 200 ambulances.

We installed fever screening systems at various boundary control points. Air-conditioning and ventilation systems at boundary control points also underwent enhanced inspection and maintenance to ensure their hygienic condition.

The Intelligent Epidemic Prevention Channel is being tested at the ground floor lobby of the EMSD Headquarters. Consisted of two sections, the first section of the channel provides temperature screening by an infrared thermal imager, and carries out dust removal and sanitising for shoes, while the second section thoroughly sterilises clothes and carry-on items of users with its sterilisation, air purification, and ventilation systems.

The EMSD carries out assembly, testing and commissioning of mask-making machines for the Correctional Services Department to support the city’s fight against COVID-19.

During the early stage of the outbreak, we helped many departments procure fever screening systems to cope with the workload of body temperature monitoring. The fever screening system installed in the carpark on the ground floor of the EMSD Headquarters uses facial recognition technology to conduct temperature screening for drivers of private cars and light goods vehicles inside the vehicles, boosting the efficiency and convenience of the screening.

The mobile fever screening robot, which we sought from an innovation and technology collaboration project from our E&M InnoPortal, can perform fever screening in different environments, such as the community, office, quarantine area, etc. Its automatic remote control function can be used to minimise close person-to-person contact.

Anti-epidemic measures were taken at the EMSD Registration and Permit Office to combat the spread of the disease while maintaining normal services as much as possible. Seating capacity in the office has been reduced to comply with social distancing requirements.

A web-based CPD training platform has been established for the registered electrical workers to complete CPD training after the COVID-19 outbreak, so that their renewal of registration will not be affected by the pandemic.

We contacted all RGSCs, including the HKCG and various LPG supply companies, to examine their business continuity and contingency plans, such as providing protective gear for staff members and reviewing spare parts supply and inventories, to ensure gas production and supply remain unaffected by the epidemic.

Due to immigration control during the COVID-19 pandemic, overseas surveyors could not travel to Hong Kong to carry out the annual examination. As there was no licensed surveyor available locally at the time, the facility faced suspension. By April 2020, after a few weeks of search, an Italian national present in Hong Kong was recommended by an overseas expert. Written tests and interviews were promptly arranged for his application to become a licensed surveyor. After he was issued with the licence, the annual examination for Ngong Ping 360 was completed with satisfactory results on 20 May, a day before the deadline, under the close supervision of our professional regulatory team. Ngong Ping 360 was re-opened smoothly to the public on 27 May.

Special operational arrangement has been made for the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High Speed Rail (HSR) in response to COVID-19. Starting from end-January 2020, the passenger service of the HSR Hong Kong Section has been suspended. Limited trains were maintained daily between Futian Station in Shenzhen and West Kowloon Station in Hong Kong to cater for the travelling needs of staff working in the Mainland Port Area. Through limited daily operation, condition of equipment and skills of operation and maintenance personnel were kept up.

The COVID-19 outbreak has made us adopt more digital working methods. We are actively exploring the feasibility of using digital means to receive application forms. For instance, we will consider whether we can issue an e-certificate first to approved registered energy assessors and furnish a hard copy afterwards. We have also examined if different applications relating to the Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance can be submitted using the Building Information Modelling software, especially those applications regarding lighting systems.