Hong Kong considers Covid health code system similar to mainland China, city logs 2,992 infections
- Secretary for Health Dr Lo Chung-mau says proposed measure would prevent freedoms of uninfected residents from being affected by Covid-positive people
- Lack of protection of individual privacy and sensitive information with code remains concern among public, says Democratic Party spokesman Ramon Yuen
But Secretary for Health Dr Lo Chung-mau on Sunday brushed aside concerns that the proposed measure would be unpopular with Hongkongers, arguing it would enhance the freedoms of uninfected residents.
“Everyone agrees that those who have Covid-19 should actually not go out and harm the rest of the population,” he told a television programme. “If we give Covid-19 positive people freedom and let them roam the surrounding areas, those without Covid-19 will have their freedoms affected.”
Lo said the measure was justified, given the government was seeking to avoid tightening social-distancing measures.
“[If] we can’t find infected people or can’t quarantine them on time, we end up ‘quarantining’ people who are negative. We hope we don’t have to do this,” he said.
Health officials on Sunday reported 2,992 new Covid-19 cases, including 219 imported ones, and two additional deaths. The city’s overall coronavirus tally stands at 1,270,800 infections and 9,412 related fatalities.
Commissioner of Customs and Excise Louise Ho Pui-shan was placed under quarantine after one of her colleagues tested preliminary-positive, although her own test came back negative.