'Govt Should Tighten Vaccine Pass As Curbs Ease'

University of Hong Kong microbiologist Ho Pak-leung has urged the government to tighten vaccine mandates when it eases social distancing measures from April 21.

On an RTHK show on Thursday, Ho said the Covid epidemic in Hong Kong is easing and cases will continue to drop.

But he said infections may rebound when social distancing measures are relaxed from next month.

The expert said officials should tighten the vaccine pass policy, such as extending it to more places.

“Employees - not service users - of all medical organisations, clinics and private hospitals etc... as well as the indoor working population from private organisations, should be asked to use the vaccine pass from April 21,” Ho said.

“This way, you can boost vaccination, and even if the epidemic rebounds, people have been vaccinated and you can reduce the number of severe cases and deaths.”

Ho also said officials should only consider recipients of the Sinovac vaccine to be fully vaccinated if they are triple-jabbed.

He also suggested the government fly flags at half-mast during Ching Ming Festival next week, to mourn the deaths of over 7,000 people in this Covid wave.