Imprisoned in Hong Kong’s Covid Isolation Facility
It was 10am on a Sunday morning.
I was getting dressed for my friend’s engagement party when suddenly I felt a sore throat. I assumed it was nothing and maybe I just drank/smoked a little too much during the previous days.
Either way, I wanted to test myself with one of those self-testing covid RAT tests — just to be safe. I didn’t want to present my newly engaged friend the gift of covid.
I definitely would not be invited to his wedding if that went through.
5 mins later, two lines emerged.
I caught covid.
The 2-Day Home Quarantine
The first two days were horrendous.
I was stuck at home with a scorching fever, runny nose, persistent coughs, muscle fatigue, and never-ending uncertainty.
“Am I going to survive this?”
“Do I need to go to Penny Bay?”
“Will I lose my job?”
I was somewhat grateful that I’ve finally caught covid since the pandemic started 2 years ago, but I didn’t appreciate the timing of when it came as I had just started a full-time job (still on my probation period) and was ready to go full throttle on my dance/fitness grind.
Luckily in those 2 days, my covid symptoms subsided and I felt a lot better. Maybe it’s because I got 3 vaccination doses already?
But I guess when life throws you lemons, make lemonade right?
Except when I got that chilling text from the Hong Kong government,
it changed everything.
I was ordered to be sent to one of Hong Kong’s Covid Isolation Facilities:
Penny Bay.
Prison Camp Day 1
I was picked up by one of Penny Bay’s transport buses below my building and was sent off immediately to the isolation center. Penny Bay was situated next to Hong Kong Disneyland, a bit of an odd location if you ask me.
I was greeted by staff wearing blue disposable caps and gowns, face shields, masks, and gloves — which assigned me to my first unit.
My room at the centre reminded me of an old university dorm room. It came with two single beds with thin mattresses, a hard sponge pillow and a duvet, a small table with a mini television, an electric kettle, a hair dryer, two plastic chairs, a fabric closet, a bedside table, an air conditioner, and a water heater.
I rearranged the furniture so I could have a little dance studio for me to get down on. I was also accompanied by a “welcoming package” with cup noodles, snacks, covid RAT tests, a thermometer, and a finger pulse oximeter.
I was permitted to open my window to retrieve food and other necessities that were delivered, or just to get some fresh air. Three meals were provided daily in plastic bags (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and were left on a mini tray outside my window for me to retrieve.
Previously, I heard stories where inmates were allowed to ask their family or friends to send them outside food. But when I got there, that rule changed for some unknown reason. You can only consume food and drinks from the isolation facility.
And the worst part of it all?
No WiFi.
Luckily, I knew about the WiFi situation beforehand. So my mom helped me buy a few SIM cards to use during my isolation at the “prison camp.”
It was tough the first day, as I was reluctant to enter the premises and was quite spoiled about it. Honestly, who would want to be sent here in the first place anyway? I found it odd that I wasn't allowed to home quarantine like the rest of my peers.
I settled down, rearranged my personal belongings, and mentally prepared myself for the upcoming days.
To my greatest surprise, I had a growing ant problem in my room. So I had to pack my belongings again and be transferred to another room.
Not the greatest start to my first day here.
Prison Days 2 to 4
I was able to work from home (WFH) since I’m a full-time writer now. That helped me tremendously to kill time and let the days pass by quicker. I was already feeling barely any symptoms since I arrived at Penny Bay, so it was spectacular for me to keep on working during my probation — even while trapped at the prison camp.
I even did some dance challenges and a workout during the first few nights! Being in complete isolation granted me the ability to truly be by myself. I’m technically part of the history books when people “reminisce” about Penny Bay.
For the first two days in Penny Bay, you’re not allowed to pick your meals yet. They will just send you a random meal. And honestly? The food sucked. It was so bland and I never missed outside food so badly in my life.
Oh, how badly I craved for some salt and vinegar potato chips.
Fortunately, I discovered they have a Halal menu that provides a variety of Indian dishes (I’m a major fan). I mainly just ordered from that menu which had chicken tandoori, chicken biryani, fish curry, and other variations.
It wasn’t TOO bad at Penny Bay so far. It would’ve been horrendous if I didn’t have the SIM cards.
But I obviously wanted to get out ASAP still.
I was told by the blue-colored prison guards that on my 6th and 7th day after catching covid, if my RAT tests were both negative consecutively — I would be able to leave earlier.
Well, that didn’t happen.
Prison Days 5 till ?
I was still positive on my 6th and 7th day after initially catching covid.
Such a bummer.
I just have to hope that one day I’ll magically be negative soon. But I have hope. My 7th day test result showed a thinner line than usual, which indicates that it’s near the end of my covid infection.
I’m actually writing this article during my 7th day, and I thought this would be a great chance for me to share some hidden tricks and tips I’ve discovered and asked around during my time at Penny Bay.
The Penny Bay Survival Guide 📘
- BRING ENTERTAINMENT
Bring your laptops, phones, chargers, books, workout equipment, sketchbook, or anything that can keep you entertained! If you are just a close contact, I believe you have to stay isolated for 10 days.
But if you’re a covid infectee like me, who knows when you’ll get out? Better stay safe and binge on your favorite Netflix shows.
I recommend downloading seasons' worth of Netflix shows! You better save your SIM card data for more important uses i.e. work.
2. SNACKS AND LOTS OF IT
I got the impression that I could ask family and friends to bring in food for me. But who knew that rule changed? And I’ve got to say, it would’ve been a more comfortable experience if I had some of my favorite snacks on me.
The only snack I brought was a half-finished can of potato chips.
As you can guess, it didn’t last long.
Penny Bay’s snacks are honestly trash. Unless you think you can survive oranges, non-branded cup noodles, crunchy chocolate wafers, and mini banana cakes — be my guest.
The 3 meals they gave as well weren’t the best, and sometimes they might give you something completely random without any warning — which is quite the headache honestly.
So be prepared and learn how to conserve your bites.
3. TEXT/CALL PEOPLE
It will be extremely lonely here. Your only physical interaction will be with blue-colored prison guards when they pass you food and necessities or talk to you about when you are permitted to be discharged.
I posted my Penny Bay experience on my Instagram stories and people sent me DMs asking how I was doing. Some even experienced Penny Bay a few years ago and were giving me advice on how to survive.
Either way, try to keep yourself entertained through online socializing. Text an old friend, call up a stranger from an app, or FaceTime your family members.
Just keep yourself socially busy, online.
4. HOW TO GET OUT ASAP
This one is pretty interesting.
This advice was mentioned to me by one of the prison guards. I think the dude felt bad for my situation (or just the prisoners in general) and he gave me a tip on how to get out asap once you’ve got a negative result.
So let’s say you got a negative result today. Now if you remember, you need to be negative for 2 consecutive days in order to be released. All you need to do is take another test at 12am (which is technically the next day), report “negative” on the website — and you’ll be out the first thing tomorrow morning when you wake up!
Plus, you will be able to pack up the night beforehand so you won’t have to rush in the morning. Hopefully, the second covid test is still negative. But this is just a nice little hack that one of the guards told me.
Overall, this Hong Kong Prison Camp sucks.
There’s no beating around the bush for this.
I miss my room, my bike, my family and friends, my dance spot, and even my office!
Oh Lord knows I miss food. GOOD FOOD.
But I know this experience was meant to be. I don’t know how or why, but I just know I’ll look back one day and think to myself,
“You know what, I’m glad I went to Penny Bay.
I wouldn’t be where I am now without it.”
If you’re reading this and you're in/about to enter a Covid Isolation Facility,
stay strong.
It’s not as bad as you think.
Peace!
