Coronavirus: mainland Chinese to follow same vaccine pass rules as other arrivals in Hong Kong
- Arrivals from mainland, Macau and Taiwan must have two jabs to obtain temporary pass starting on Saturday
- Change comes after mainland traveller boasted about ‘going anywhere’ in Hong Kong without a vaccination
Hong Kong will require mainland Chinese to have received two shots against Covid-19 to qualify for a temporary vaccine pass starting on Saturday, the same criteria that arrivals from overseas countries must meet to gain access to most public places.
The announcement on Friday night came days after a traveller from the mainland caused an uproar on social media by bragging she could “go anywhere” in Hong Kong despite having never been inoculated against the coronavirus.
Arrivals from Macau, Taiwan and the mainland could previously obtain a provisional vaccine pass without being inoculated, while inbound travellers from the rest of the world were required to have received two jabs to qualify.
“The ‘provisional vaccine pass’ arrangement is applicable to all arrivals, including Hong Kong residents and non-residents, as well as those from mainland China, Macau, Taiwan and overseas regions,” a government spokesman said.
The rule will apply to travellers aged 12 and above, while recovered patients will only be required to have one jab. Those deemed medically unsuited for the shots can forgo the requirement but must provide proof of the exemption.
Travellers undergoing compulsory quarantine can receive their provisional pass when they enter Hong Kong at land crossings or the airport, while those arriving from the mainland and Macau who are not subject to the measure can obtain it at one of 18 designated post offices, the government said.