Govt Staff 'strongly Encouraged' To Use Tracing App

The government has “strongly encouraged” all its staff to use its “LeaveHomeSafe” app when they go to work.

The app allows users to record their whereabouts and notifies them if they have visited a place which is subsequently linked to a Covid-19 infection.

The instruction was sent out in an internal memo to all government staff on Wednesday.

“Government employees are strongly encouraged to make proper use of the app for the protection of themselves, their fellow colleagues and members of public who seek services at their offices. At this critical juncture in the fight against the epidemic, the government calls for your continued support in the anti-epidemic efforts,” the memo read.

“It is the government’s target to introduce a measure under which both staff and members of public entering government offices should use the app to record their dates and times of visits at government offices before entry.”

Responding to an RTHK enquiry earlier as to whether people visiting government buildings will also be ordered to install the app, the Civil Service Bureau simply said the administration urges people to actively use the app to develop a habit of recording their own whereabouts, to reduce the risk of the virus spreading.

Authorities resumed some basic public services last Thursday, and residents visiting government offices and buildings would have to wear face masks and comply with infection control measures – including undergoing temperature checks and using the “LeaveHomeSafe” app.

The chairman of the Federation of Civil Service Unions, Leung Chau-ting, said the measure is little more than window dressing.

Leung said while it is understandable for the government to require staff to use the app when they enter or leave government offices, it has not been popular amongst members of the public due to privacy concerns, adding that elderly people may not know how to use it at all.

He said by “strongly encouraging” its employees to follow the measure, the government is essentially telling them that they couldn’t “say no” to it.

Leung also questioned whether staff will continue to use the app after work, saying the policy would only be effective if everyone in Hong Kong uses it at all times.

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