Coronavirus: Hong Kong ‘vaccine bubble’ faces chaotic start, bar trade warns, with concerns rising over lack of documents, new app

Industry players estimate just 20 per cent of 700 party rooms and half of the city’s 1,280 bars will be able to open on Thursday after being closed for about five months

New scheme, which in many instances requires both customers and staff to be vaccinated, is intended to boost city’s flagging Covid-19 inoculation drive

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Businesses that have been shuttered for months will finally be able to reopen. Photo: May Tse

Published: 8:00am, 29 Apr 2021Updated: 11:57am, 30 Apr 2021

Bar-trade players have warned that Hong Kong’s “vaccine bubble” will get off to a chaotic start on Thursday, with a lack of documents and tools leaving many struggling business operators worried about whether they can even reopen without breaching the law.

Some told the Post many businesses were not ready to restart operations, as they were still grappling with new rules. They estimated just 20 per cent of 700 party rooms and half of the city’s 1,280 bars would be able to open on Thursday after being closed for about five months.

Secretary for Food and Health Professor Sophia Chan Siu-chee on Tuesday announced the reopening of bars, party rooms, mahjong parlours and other entertainment venues from Thursday. Social-distancing restrictions on restaurants can also be relaxed under a complicated new set of rules.

The multi-tiered system, which in many instances requires both customers and staff to be inoculated, is intended to boost the city’s flagging Covid-19 vaccination drive. The government will roll out a new app allowing businesses to verify customers’ Covid-19 vaccination records on Thursday. Faking records will be a criminal offence punishable by a fine of HK$5,000.

Staff must also have received at least one vaccine dose, while those seeking an exemption on medical grounds will need to fill in a government declaration form stating the reason and attach a medical certificate. Patrons, except for diners aged 15 or below and over 65, must use the government’s contact-tracing app “Leave Home Safe”.