The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) announced today (December 16) that a total of 100 000 Braille folders will be distributed in phases to premises displaying the "LeaveHomeSafe" venue QR codes. The first batch of 12 000 Braille folders will be distributed to catering premises and public markets this week to assist people with visual impairment to record their visits to the premises with the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app.
The second batch of 8 000 Braille folders will be distributed starting from next week. A further 80 000 Braille folders are tentatively scheduled for distribution starting from January.
A spokesman for the OGCIO said, "We have sent emails to catering premises earlier and over 2 000 catering premises or chains have registered for more than 9 000 Braille folders. We are now sending the Braille folders to these registered catering premises. Meanwhile, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) also provides Braille folders in public markets and distributes them to catering premises to enable people with visual impairment to scan the QR codes more easily.
"We will soon send emails to other scheduled premises regulated under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) for them to register the number of Braille folders required. These premises include bars or pubs, bathhouses, party rooms, clubs or nightclubs, karaoke establishments, mahjong-tin kau premises, cruise ships, amusement game centres, fitness centres, places of amusement, places of public entertainment, beauty parlours and massage establishments, clubhouses, sports premises, swimming pools, hotels and guesthouses, and event premises.
"Braille folders assist people with visual impairment to identify the position of the venue QR code with the Braille printed on the folder, enabling them to use the 'LeaveHomeSafe' mobile app and thereby building a caring and inclusive society. We look forward to receiving positive responses from these scheduled premises."
　
In addition, having already mailed the user guide for the Braille folders to all licensed catering premises on December 10, the FEHD today distributed Braille folders and explained their use to some food business operators whose premises are located in the vicinity of non-governmental organisations serving the visually impaired.
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