Jabs the only clear answer to confusion over Hong Kong ‘vaccine bubble’
- It would be easier to get inoculated against Covid-19 than follow the bewildering rules for staff and customers at city businesses hoping to get back to normal
The government’s plan to make vaccinations a condition of easing curbs on dining and entertainment venues was greeted with criticism and scepticism two weeks ago. The so-called vaccine bubble looks even more bewildering after details allowing restricted premises to reopen or expand operations were announced on Tuesday.
Publicity and enforcement aside, there needs to be a greater effort to make people aware of the importance of inoculations, without which the epidemic will persist and businesses continue to suffer.
With at least four ways for restaurants to operate, depending on whether staff and customers are partially or fully vaccinated and using the government tracing app, enforcement will be an issue. Party rooms, nightclubs, karaoke lounges, bathhouses and bars also have to fulfil similar requirements before they can resume business on Thursday.
The conditions also apply to local tours, large weddings, church gatherings and shareholders’ meetings.
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It is difficult for businesses to follow so many rules, perhaps even more so for their customers. Also in question is the new app that verifies the vaccination records of customers.
The situation is further confused by arrangements for the medically unfit to make health declarations, and the need for regular virus tests just adds to the complexity, as do exemptions for the elderly and underaged who do not have smartphones and cannot use the tracing app.