Mixed Views On Scrapping Of LeaveHomeSafe Scanning

Diners and restaurant staff on Wednesday expressed mixed views over the removal of LeaveHomeSafe QR codes, as customers no longer have to record their entry on the app.

Some diners welcomed the easing of the rules, although they still need to show their Covid vaccination pass.

One person said he found it more convenient, adding that he feels it's safer to keep the vaccine pass requirement in place as the city is still recording over 10,000 Covid cases every day.

Another diner said the new rules don't make much difference.

"Normally you would scan the LeaveHomeSafe app when you walked into a particular place and you would get an amber or blue code. Now you come in a place, you still have to get the app out and show somebody a blue code or show your vaccination, so I don't see any difference," he said.

A restaurant staff member said he expected the new arrangement to bring in more business.

"Previously, we weren't allowed photos or papers... they had to use the LeaveHomeSafe app for them to dine in our restaurant. Now they only need to show that they have been vaccinated. I think it's good," he said.

However, a waitress said her workload hasn't changed as she still needs to check people's vaccine passes.

"I think that essentially nothing has changed because you still have to scan their codes. So for us, nothing has changed," she said.

Speaking on RTHK's Hong Kong Today, Lan Kwai Fong Group chairman, Allan Zeman, said he believed people will get used to the new arrangements soon.

"I think at the beginning... same as when the LeaveHomeSafe app first came in, it caused some confusion but after a few days, people in general will start to know that it doesn't matter. It's quite easy to show just your vaccine pass," he said.

"I understand why the government is doing it. It's basically just to make sure that those who have not been vaccinated do get vaccinated."