Among the many who gave their ‘thumbs up’ was the Chief Executive, Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, who described colleagues as members of a ‘fine Civil Service’.

The staff of many government departments were closely involved in the operation, including the Civil Aid Service, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Department of Health, Home Affairs Department, Information Services Department, Hong Kong Police Force, Social Welfare Department, Tourism Commission, Transport Department, and Government Logistics Department.

The Secretary for Food and Health, York Chow Yat-ngok (left), shaking hands with a hotel staff while Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Health), Sandra Lee Suk-yee (centre), looking on.

“They gave their best to take care of the daily needs of the guests, performing duties they don’t normally perform, to make life a little easier for our guests,” said Mr Tsang, who shook hands with many of the civil servants at the end of the quarantine period.

“Their work, and that of many others who worked behind the scenes, deserves our full appreciation.”

Some of the near-300 Metropark Hotel Wanchai guests, who expressed boredom and frustration at the beginning of their seven-day quarantine, were so impressed by the service and assistance provided. They hoisted an “I love Hong Kong” banner to express their gratitude when the quarantine came to an end on May 8, 2009.

Also expressing gratitude was the Secretary for Food and Health, York Chow Yat-ngok.

“I cannot be more proud of you all. We pulled this off together. Thanks to your exemplary professionalism, seamless teamwork and tireless dedication,” he said.

“You not only answered the call of duty, you also walked the extra mile to help protect our city and make the stay of those under quarantine a less unpleasant experience.”

“The many smiling faces we all saw outside the hotel at the departure moment, and the generosity and gratitude that many members of the public have shown, have given us added assurance that we did the right job.”

The Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Health), Sandra Lee Suk-yee, who was the overall co-ordinator of the quarantine operation, said she was very touched by the teamwork.

“What I feel is that during the quarantine operation the Civil Service fully demonstrated its team spirit. They took serving the community as their goal, and in the fight against pandemic, they have built a very firm first line of defence to protect the health of the Hong Kong people,” she said.

“They worked wholeheartedly towards this goal, making me feel very touched. I trust that everyone will continue to strive hard in the fight against pandemic to protect public health.”

There was also a thank you letter sent from afar. A visitor from Taiwan, Patrick Wang, who was kept inside the hotel with his family during the quarantine, wrote to thank the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG).

	Taiwanese visitor Patrick Wang posing for a photo with a civil servant to express his gratitude.

“On behalf of my family, I wish to thank the HKSARG, Department of Health, Social Welfare Department and the staff of the hotel. They helped us a lot during and after the quarantine,” wrote Mr Wang.

“Throughout this quarantine operation, the HKSARG has shown to the world how it fought beautifully to keep a pandemic at bay.”