This March 2, 2020 photo shows a screen at a security desk showing people entering the government headquarters in Tamar, Hong Kong. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - Thousands of Hong Kong of civil servants, wearing masks, returned to their offices on Monday for the first day after having worked from home for more than a month to minimize the risk of infection by a novel coronavirus causing COVID-19. 

Before thousands turned up for work, government office facilities were thoroughly disinfected and temperature testing points were set up at the entrances. Security guards at the entrances were seen taking body temperatures of those entering government headquarters in Tamar and Revenue Tower in Wan Chai.

Before thousands turned up for work, government office facilities were thoroughly disinfected and temperature testing points were set up at the entrances

IN PHOTOS: Hong Kong civil servants return to offices

Earlier, the government pledged to prioritize the supply of face masks for medical workers, people providing essential public services or those who need to have close contacts with people.

Every government department has been given HK$50,000 for purchasing face masks.  

In a local radio program on Monday, Secretary for Food & Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee said the decision to end the work from home arrangement was made after balancing the need of public services and the safety of civil servants.

She added that the decision was backed by medical consultants of the government’s anti-epidemic steering committee and every department would have people designated to inspect its epidemic precaution measures.

The work-from-home arrangement has been in force since Jan 29 for HK’s 176,000 civil servants, except those providing emergency and essential public services. Many companies were advised to follow the government’s example. 

READ MORE: Lam affirms civil servants’ efforts in epidemic control

As of Sunday, the city recorded a total of 98 confirmed cases of infection. Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Sunday said the containment measures against the virus was “effective”.