The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) said that starting from November 1, persons entering the HA Head Office and administration blocks of public hospitals will be required to use the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile application to scan a venue QR code, except for exempted persons (persons who are aged below 12 or aged 65 or above, those with disabilities that render use of the app difficult and individual persons granted exemptions due to actual circumstances can complete a record form as registration).
Persons visiting other areas of public hospitals and other HA healthcare facilities will also be required to use the app if doing so is operationally feasible and provision of healthcare services is not affected.
The HA spokesperson said that the new arrangement will be implemented in public hospitals with due consideration of the actual environment and operations, such as having multiple entrances and many service points. More venue QR code posters will be displayed and visitors will be reminded to use the app at ward entrances or service registration counters.
"The new arrangement will help further strengthen contact tracing and cut the transmission chain as early as possible when a confirmed case is found in the community. Recording access and departure in public venues can also help members of the public be informed of related infection risks. As patients are the main users of public hospital services and their consultations will be properly recorded, hospitals will exercise discretion with patients having difficulties with the new arrangement," the spokesperson said.
The Emergency Response Level is still activated in public hospitals and all visitors entering hospitals are required to comply with the infection control measures, including wearing surgical masks and checking temperature. Patients' families have to schedule visits through ward staff and fill in the health declaration form through scanning the Hospital Visit QR code in the HA webpage and the mobile app "HA Go".
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