Government reminds catering premises operators to note relevant arrangements of completing COVID-19 vaccination course under vaccine bubble

     The Government gazetted earlier the specifications and directions under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (the Regulation) (Cap. 599F) to maintain allowing catering premises to continue to operate in one or more modes of operation on the basis of "vaccine bubble". A Government spokesman today (May 21) reminded catering premises operators that according to the directions, persons recovered from COVID-19 may be deemed to have completed the COVID-19 vaccination course after receiving one dose of COVID-19 vaccine 14 days ago.

     The Government spokesman said, "In terms of the relaxation of social distancing measures at catering premises under 'vaccine bubble', completion of the vaccination course in general means having received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine 14 days ago; while for persons recovered from COVID-19, they may be deemed to have completed the COVID-19 vaccination course after receiving one dose of vaccine 14 days ago. Special arrangements will be made to the paper and electronic vaccination records of these persons to reflect the relevant situation."

     In view of this, the updated version of the "QR Code Verification Scanner", developed by the Hong Kong SAR Government to allow premises operators to verify the authenticity of the QR codes of the COVID-19 vaccination records and electronic test records, has also been launched through Apple App Store and Huawei AppGallery, and will be launched through Google Play Store later. To assist operators of catering premises to use the "QR Code Verification Scanner" to verify the authenticity of the QR codes of the COVID-19 vaccination records and electronic test records issued by the Government, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will upload a tutorial video to its thematic webpage on "vaccine bubble" (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/events/covid19/vaccine_bubble.html) later for the reference of premises operators.

     The spokesman also reminded that, according to the specifications and directions under the Regulation, catering premises operators may choose to adopt type D mode of operation if they ensure that all staff members involved in the operation of the business on the premises have completed the COVID-19 vaccination course. Should type B mode of operation be chosen, catering premises operators may also adopt the alternative measure, which is ensuring their staff members concerned have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course in place of making arrangements for them to undergo a polymerase chain reaction-based nucleic acid test for the COVID-19 using combined nasal and throat swabs once every 14 days.

     Should the trade and the public wish to understand more about the modes of operation and other operational details of "vaccine bubble", they may visit the thematic webpage or call 2868 0000 for enquiries. The FEHD will also update its thematic webpage at an appropriate time according to the latest directions under the Regulation, including information such as frequently asked questions and answers, etc.

     To minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission, the spokesman strongly appealed to operators and staff members of all premises to stay vigilant, and continue to comply with the relevant regulations on prevention and control of disease in a concerted and persistent manner.