Guests and staff members at a Hong Kong hotel quarantined since Friday to contain the spread of influenza A/H1N1 will get free accommodations for seven days, a senior official of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said on Sunday.

Speaking at a daily briefing on the latest flu-related developments, Director of Home Affairs Pamela Tan said authorities will also help the guests handle other issues arising from the quarantine, such as potential troubles with the visas and air tickets.

The guests will also get certain quotas of phone fees so that they shall be able to keep in touch with families and friends without bearing the extra costs.

Books, televisions, computers and internet services will also be available, Tan added.

A 25-year-old Mexican visitor who checked into the Metropark Hotel in Wanchai, Hong Kong on Thursday evening tested positive for the influenza A/H1N1 on Friday, triggering a series of emergency measures by Hong Kong authorities, including the immediate quarantining of the hotel.

The patient developed flu symptoms within hours of checking into the hotel on Thursday afternoon. He went to seek medical help in the evening and has since been in quarantine at local hospitals. Authorities have been making every effort to track down those who may have been in contact with the patient.