'Vaccine Pass' to begin Thursday in HK

Hong Kong residents need to always have with them their COVID-19 vaccination proofs – either in electronic or paper form – once the city's "vaccine pass" program takes effect on Feb 24.

Law enforcement personnel will carry out random checks in 23 types of regulated premises, including restaurants, supermarkets, shopping malls, and entertainment venues to see if the persons inside are vaccinated, Deputy Secretary for Food and Health Kevin Choi said in press briefing on Monday.

Hong Kong's "vaccine pass" program, which allows only vaccinated persons or those with medical exemptions to enter regulated premises, will be rolled out in three phases.

In the first phase starting on Feb 24, residents aged 12 and above should at least have received one jab against the coronavirus.

In the second phase starting in the end of April, those aged 18 or above are required to have at least two jabs.

In the third phase starting in the end of June, all residents aged 18 or above should have received their booster shots, if nine months have passed since their second shot.

Aside from the 23 types of regulated premises, the vaccine bubble will also cover schools, offices, public organizations, hospitals and care homes. Exemptions apply to the patients, primary and secondary students and recipients of public service.

Responding to questions on enforcement details, Choi stressed that the government is not seeking to punish people for failure to carry around vaccination proofs but to encourage the public to get their shots.

"It's not very difficult for people to get the jabs. This is something we can do to benefit ourselves and our families as well as fulfilling our duty to the society," Choi said.

Residents can scan and upload their vaccination record or exemption certificate to the latest version of the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app for easy access.

Under the "vaccine pass" program, catering premises and clubhouses are required to download the latest version of the "QR Code Verification Scanner" mobile app to scan the QR code presented by visitors.

According to Tony Wong, deputy government chief information officer, personal data on the "QR Code Verification Scanner" will be temporarily stored for 31 days for anti-pandemic purposes and will be deleted automatically after that. Personal information is also encrypted to protect privacy.

Choi warned that using another person's vaccination record is an offense and those found guilty face fines.

Diane Wong, Deputy Director (Environmental Hygiene) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, said the police may ask people to present their identification documents when checking their vaccine proofs.

Operators of restaurants or other premises have fulfilled their legal obligation as long as they have used a QR code reader to scan a customer's vaccine proof. They are not liable if the customer has used the vaccination documents dishonestly, she added.

As for the possibility for people who need to pass malls when commuting to and from work, Choi said these cases can be exempted within reason.

"They should be on their way to their workplaces or homes, instead of shopping when passing the mall," he said, adding that people visiting malls to receive public services, see a doctor or pick up take-out orders are also exempted.