Coronavirus: vaccine pass could worsen mistrust of shots in Hong Kong, experts warn after minister floats suggestion
- Any policy perceived as making inoculations mandatory could leave some residents more suspicious of shots, health and economic experts say
- Patrick Nip, the minister in charge of city’s inoculation programme, raised the idea on Sunday
But one medical expert advising the government on the pandemic said on Monday he backed the idea but noted the government had not consulted him or his three colleagues who provided guidance to authorities.
“Governments the world over have been straining every sinew to get jabs into arms,” said Professor David Hui Shu-cheong. “I think ideas such as vaccine passports would be done with the right intentions.”
Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip Tak-kuen suggested on Sunday that Hong Kong could follow France’s example and issue a health pass. Under the system the European country has been progressively adopting, people must show proof of vaccination, a negative Covid-19 test result or immunisation after infection to enter a restaurant, cinema, large shopping centre, long-distance train or plane.
But the requirement has been fiercely opposed by some French citizens who argue the daily infection rate does not justify mass vaccination. According to the interior ministry, about 160,000 people joined marches across the nation denouncing the system on Saturday in the seventh straight week of protests.