EditorialDecision in fake jab papers case shows Hong Kong courts in rude health
- Go-ahead for judicial review of move by administration illustrates how checks and balances designed to ensure good governance are still working
The use of fake vaccine exemption certificates, allegedly issued by seven doctors, has rightly been condemned by medical professionals and the wider community. There was a quick response from the government.
Six doctors have been arrested and another is wanted. They have been banned from administering Covid-19 jabs.
But the move by health officials to invalidate more than 20,000 certificates issued by the doctors has been delayed pending a court hearing to determine whether it is lawful. Mr Justice Russell Coleman allowed a judicial review of the decision, brought by a former civil servant and serial litigant, to proceed.
He ordered no certificates be invalidated until the case, set for October 20, is heard.
The government has, responsibly, agreed to temporarily accept the certificates when unvaccinated people use them to enter premises covered by the vaccine pass scheme. Their use will be recorded and law enforcement agencies alerted if fraud is suspected.