Explainer | What you need to know about Hong Kong’s new health code system to identify coronavirus cases
- Health authorities say update for ‘Leave Home Safe’ app will rely on traffic-light style electronic system
- Government yet to reveal how update will be implemented or address privacy concerns over app user data
Hong Kong is set to upgrade the “Leave Home Safe” risk-exposure app by incorporating a dual-colour system to better identify any coronavirus-positive residents or anyone required to undergo quarantine.
The planned update will also introduce new identification functions, such as a real-name registration process, that will allow the system to access users’ personal information.
It is currently unclear if the upgrade will effectively merge the “Leave Home Safe” app with the previously approved Hong Kong health code, which residents are required to use when travelling in mainland China.
The Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau has also told the Post that it is liaising with health authorities to assist with rolling out new policies to combat the coronavirus.
The Post takes a look at what the government has said about the new health code so far.
1. How does the mainland’s health code work?
Both travellers and residents on the mainland use a traffic-light style electronic system that operates on the social media app WeChat and indicates a person’s risk of coronavirus infection and any relevant travel restrictions.