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Hong Kong Hotel Guests Chill in Quarantine

Guests stuck in swine flu hotel pass the time with pizza, parties

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted May 5, 2009 1:32 AM CDT

(Newser) – The 300 guests and staff quarantined in Hong Kong's Metropark Hotel since Friday are getting used to life in captivity, the Wall Street Journal reports. The captives—confined since a Mexican guest tested positive for swine flu—complain about boring food and missed business deals, but some have organized beer and pizza parties to pass the seven-day quarantine period.

Police guard the hotel entrance, where journalists have gathered, and one guest was seen holding a sign reading: "Will exchange information for beer and food and cigarettes." Government officials—who are still trying to track down 50 guests who were out of the hotel when it was locked down—say they are doing what they can to ease the situation for captives. Each room has been sent a box of chocolates accompanied by an apologetic note from the territory's health chief.

[Images (4)]

[Videos (1)]

A hotel guest waves to her friend through the glass door at the lobby of Hong Kong's Metropark Hotel after police sealed it off. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

A hotel guest displays a German newspaper whose headline reads: "Swine Flu. Virus can't be stopped!" yesterday. (AP Photo)

A police officer wearing a mask stands guard as police seal off Metro Park Hotel in Hong Kong. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

A couples wave from their room of Metropark Hotel in Hong Kong last week. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

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A patron at the Metropark Hotel describes living under quarantine. (swineflupropaganda)

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Hong Kong Hotel Guests Chill in Quarantine