All of us in Hong Kong have been shocked and appalled these last two weeks by the terrible scenes from India of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Over 350,000 new cases per day, hospitals with two patients per bed, not to mention those left outside to die, relatives fighting to bring oxygen tanks to loved ones gasping for air: these are surely scenes from hell. The contrast with our own calm and orderly lives couldn’t be more stark. But before we congratulate ourselves on our good fortune, we need to bear in mind an important statistic: our vaccination rate is still abysmally low, 12 per cent for one dose, and around 6 per cent for two. It is not much better than India’s. The last thing we want is to tempt fate. We need to take urgent action to boost uptake. It is important to recognise that all the good work we have done up to now in social distancing, working from home, track and trace, mask-wearing and so on, while it has helped keep infection rates low, is not the end of the story. These are interim arrangements, not the ultimate objective. They have helped stabilise the situation but are not a long-term solution. For life to get back to anything like normal, and for our economy to recover, we have to reach herd immunity with effective vaccination of over 70 per cent of the population. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po warned recently that our economy, while recovering slightly, remained below full strength. That is why including a requirement for full vaccination in the travel-bubble deal with Singapore is a step in the right direction. Never mind that it is not reciprocal; we should quickly follow up with other carrots – and some sticks. Vaccine visas risk dividing the world into East vs West ‘vaccine blocs’ The administration has already made clear that every other bubble will include a similar requirement. Quite right too. Another obvious carrot could be to exempt vaccinated Hongkongers returning from anywhere from quarantine. Similarly, those who have taken the jab could be spared quarantine even if they are close contacts of Covid-19 cases. “An army marches on its stomach” is a saying often attributed to Napoleon. The government has recognised the truth behind this expression: it sees Hongkongers’ well-known love of dining out as the next great opportunity to drive up the vaccination rate. I see nothing wrong in giving special privileges to bars and restaurants that are able to persuade all staff to get the jab . Of course, special arrangements will have to be made for those who for whatever reason cannot be vaccinated, but this must be certified by a government doctor. Some have mooted the idea of an exemption on religious grounds, but I don’t agree. Different faiths should be respected, but no religious belief, however sincerely held, confers on the follower the right to sacrifice the lives of others. I am totally unimpressed with the argument that the existing Leave Home Safe app is too complicated for people to use. If, like me, you really are a technology klutz, do not despair: impatient diners behind you in the queue will be eager to help. Never mind the politics, Hongkongers: get vaccinated It will be the same with a new app recording vaccination status. Making its use compulsory will be resisted by some in principle – danged if I can see what that principle is – but they can always eat at home, or order takeaway. Are there other measures we could consider? How about making vaccination on arrival compulsory for all residents returning here (first jab at the airport, second at the end of quarantine)? This could also apply to domestic helpers arriving to start new contracts, and even to those seeking to renew contracts while remaining in Hong Kong. If all else fails, should we proceed by employment category: all medical workers; staff in care homes; disciplined services; civil servants; their families? There would be resistance to any such proposal and in some cases legal complications as well. As a side issue, one has to ask why there is such vaccine hesitancy in Hong Kong despite Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor having very publicly started the ball rolling by getting vaccinated , along with several of her top officials, in front of the media. There has also been a cacophony of announcements in the public interest on television, radio and in print. It is almost as if Hongkongers are resisting protecting themselves from a deadly virus solely or largely because the government is advocating it. Unpopularity, or lack of credibility, should be a concern in the Western district and indeed further north. Possibly, the administration’s lack of confidence in itself has contributed to the decision to nudge the public via the dining “vaccine bubble”, rather than risk confrontation by pursuing more draconian options. A sad commentary on local affairs. Be that as it may, the best way forward for us ordinary citizens is to do what we always do when there is a job to be done: roll up our sleeves and get on with it. Mike Rowse is the CEO of Treloar Enterprises