Coronavirus: 370 Hong Kong government workers suspected of using fake vaccination exemptions from arrested doctors, as city logs 3,907 infections
- Civil Service Bureau spokeswoman says police investigation under way, and affected workers will have their documents invalidated by October 12
- Lawmakers call case ‘worrying and disappointing’, accusing ‘black sheep’ of destroying public’s respect and trust in sector
Hong Kong’s Civil Service Bureau has said 370 government employees are suspected of using fake Covid-19 exemption certificates, warning that those involved in misconduct will be held accountable.
“The government attaches great importance to the conduct and integrity of employees. Should any individual officers be suspected of breaching the law or misconducting themselves, the government will deal with them seriously under the established mechanism,” a bureau spokeswoman said in a reply to the Post.
The warning came as the number of daily Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong fluctuated around the 4,000 mark this week, with health officials recording 3,907 infections on Saturday, including 226 imported ones, and six additional deaths.
Under the current vaccine pass scheme, people seeking to enter public buildings and restaurants, as well as government employees going to work, need to be triple-jabbed if they have never been infected, or produce a medical exemption.
Police last month arrested six doctors on suspicion of issuing exemptions without following relevant guidelines and conducting proper medical diagnoses. A seventh medical professional is wanted by the force.
