A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (July 8) that the Government has gazetted specification and directions under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) (the Regulation), which has taken effect from 0.00am today, for a period of 14 days till July 21. 

     To fulfil the requirement of performing due diligence checks to ensure that customers have complied with the relevant requirement about COVID-19 vaccination in order to enter relevant premises/designated zones, premises operators must use the "QR Code Verification Scanner" mobile application provided by the Government to scan the customers' QR code of their local COVID-19 vaccination record. The Government does not accept other means of checking the local vaccination record, such as using other scanners or visual inspection. Customers who received COVID-19 vaccines in places outside Hong Kong must make a declaration to the relevant premises operator using the specified form.

     The spokesman reminded that the applicability of the above directions includes operators of catering premises and scheduled premises that hold a licence issued by the FEHD. Under the "vaccine bubble", operators of catering premises choosing to operate under Type D Mode of Operation, bars or pubs, bathhouses, night establishments or night clubs and karaoke establishments must download and install the "QR Code Verification Scanner" mobile application provided by the Government according to the operating systems of their mobile devices, and use the mobile application to scan the customers' QR code of the local COVID-19 vaccination record when the customers enter the relevant zones of the abovementioned premises.

     The spokesman said, "The FEHD has updated the related information on the FEHD's 'vaccine bubble' thematic webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/events/covid19/vaccine_bubble_FP.html), reminding relevant operators to comply with the above requirements. Operators of a catering business or scheduled premises contravening the Regulation are liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months."

     To minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission, the spokesman appealed to operators and members of the public to stay vigilant, continue to comply with the relevant regulations on prevention and control of disease in a concerted and persistent manner, and to maintain personal and environmental hygiene continuously with a view to ensuring cleanliness of the premises and food safety.

Ends/Thursday, July 8, 2021
Issued at HKT 11:51

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