Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor meets the media at the Central Government Offices ahead of an Executive Council meeting, May 17, 2022. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)
HONG KONG – The Hong Kong government will implement as planned the third stage of the vaccine pass on May 31, which requires citizens to get the third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine before entering specified premises, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said on Tuesday.
The three-dose requirement was announced well in advance to enable people to be prepared, Lam said while talking to the media ahead of Tuesday’s Executive Council meeting.
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We have been telling people and announcing well in advance the three-dose requirement under the vaccine pass (arrangement).
Carrie Lam, Chief Executive, HKSAR
Stressing that vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent serious illnesses arising from COVID-19 infections, she said: “If we could keep this (vaccine pass requirement), then we would not be overburdening the Hong Kong public hospitals and that has always been one of the primary objectives of our anti-epidemic work in Hong Kong.”
“With that objective in mind, we will continue to implement what we have announced for a very long time.”
Lam said the government is not suddenly requiring the residents to take their third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine before they can enter restaurants, gyms or other venues. “We have been telling people and announcing well in advance the three-dose requirement under the vaccine pass (arrangement),” she added.
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A man (2nd left) shows his vaccination pass before entering the M+ museum in Hong Kong on April 21, 2022, after the government eased some of the COVID-19 restrictions.
(ISAAC LAWRENCE / AFP)
“I can confirm and reaffirm here that that remains our plan,” said the CE.
From May 31 onwards, people will have to have proof of having taken three doses before they can enter the premises, unless they have medical reasons or they are recovered COVID-19 patients. There will be some special arrangements so such people, she said.