Editorial | Everyone has part to play in fighting Covid-19
- With herd immunity offering the best way back to normality, all people in Hong Kong – foreign domestic helpers included – have a civic duty to get vaccinated
All people in Hong Kong, foreign domestic helpers included, have a civic duty to get vaccinated against Covid-19. It is in everyone’s interest – the greater the number, the more the economy can reopen and life return to normal.
Scientists contend the target for immunisation has to be at least 70 per cent of the population to attain what is known as herd immunity. But the city’s rates are far below what is required and although the government has a role to play, it is ultimately up to citizens to decide their future.
Public health is the priority of authorities and it is for that reason mandatory testing by May 9 was ordered for all 370,000 helpers. Labour minister Law Chi-kwong unveiled plans requiring them to be vaccinated before signing a new work contract.
Two maids infected with worrying mutations of the coronavirus prompted the snap decision last Friday; it has been shown to be a wise move with three more cases having already been detected as a result.
03:08
Hong Kong domestic helpers slam ‘discriminatory’ Covid-19 rules
But the government was unprepared for the diplomatic backlash from the Philippines and Indonesia for the vaccination requirement, which was labelled discriminatory. Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has suspended the scheme, calling for a review and consultation with consuls general and interest groups.
