By Low De Wei
January 31, 2023 at 1:37 PM GMT+7
Local governments in China are looking for new uses for the makeshift quarantine facilities built during the pandemic, after years of strict Covid Zero rules left many authorities strapped for cash.
In
the northeastern coastal province of Shandong, a facility measuring 20,563
square meters has been turned into temporary housing for workers, called the
“Skilled Talents’ Condominium.” Located in the Jinan Innovation Zone
Intelligent Equipment City, one of 10 high-tech industrial parks in the
provincial capital Jinan, the complex opened its doors on Jan. 26, according to
an announcement last week from the WeChat account of the park.
Authorities
said the idea came about after they received feedback about a lack of rental
accommodation in the industrial park to provide for workers. The facility’s
rooms are currently being refurbished and will eventually be able to house 650
workers, with space for adding more depending on business demand. Rents will be
“reasonably” set by an external property management company based on local
rates, said the announcement. While the park is currently surrounded by barren
fields, authorities said they were working to add more amenities, including
fitness equipment and community services.
Representatives
for the industrial park did not respond to emailed and phone queries from
Bloomberg News.
China’s temporary quarantine facilities, also known as fangcang, became
ubiquitous during the pandemic as authorities sent both suspected and confirmed
Covid patients to them. In some cases, venues like stadiums and exhibition
halls were re-purposed, while others were hastily built using materials like
shipping containers. After China abruptly abandoned its Covid Zero policy in
December, the facilities have become largely obsolete, leaving local
governments that poured funds into them desperate to recoup costs. In some cities such as
Guangzhou, local authorities have opted to close them
down altogether.
— With assistance by Dong Lyu
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