Hong Kong eases rules for Wang Fuk Court residents retrieving belongings

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.

Officials had initially defended the 3-hour limit for residents to collect their belongings.

Photo: Eugene Lee Displaced residents of the fire-hit blocks at Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court may be allowed repeated trips back to their flats to collect belongings, after officials softened their stance amid an online petition appealing for greater flexibility.

Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk Wing-hing said on Monday that residents who wished to go back and forth to pack their belongings could speak to their designated social workers. “We appreciate that residents do not want a ‘one-size-fits-all’ arrangement.

So, we will exercise flexibility and, depending on the actual situation and the order on site, allow residents to go back more than once,” Cheuk said. “It will be the first time residents can return to their flats to pick up belongings.

If they feel they need to make more trips back to their flats to retrieve their belongings, they can approach their social workers.” The relaxed stance came two days after Cheuk insisted on Saturday that the original arrangement – a single trip with three hours allocated – was sufficient as it was not intended to be a “house removal”.

His remarks sparked criticism from some residents, who launched an online signature petition calling for flexibility and more time for them to “bid proper farewell” to their former homes.

Over the weekend, close to 550 signatures were reportedly collected and submitted to Cheuk.

Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk (left) and Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun at Wang Fuk Court.

Photo: Elson Li The government said last Friday that residents of the seven Wang Fuk Court blocks damaged in the inferno last November would be allowed to go up to their flats once and in groups of up to four.

They are to return in batches at designated time slots between April 20 and May 4 to retrieve their belongings and stay for up to three hours.

Authorities said the restrictions were necessary to avoid overcrowding in the damaged blocks and prevent operational delays.

Cheuk also said on Monday that with flats allowing as many as four people to return, each household effectively had 12 man-hours to retrieve things.

Meanwhile, some local moving companies have offered free services to help residents carry bulky items, while others are charging between HK$500 (US$64) and HK$2,000 for the service, depending on the quantity of items and floor level of the flats.

One company

原文链接: 南华早报