People Buying Takeaways Can Avoid Using Tracking App

Health Secretary Sophia Chan on Friday clarified that people who buy takeaways at restaurants are not required to use the government’s contact-tracing app, as she brushed aside criticism that she appeared to have wrongly interpreted her own rules.

The health chief said during a news conference on Thursday that anyone entering a restaurant, including those who are there to buy takeaway, must scan a QR code using the LeaveHomeSafe app or leave their personal information for contact-tracing purposes.

But the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department later issued a press release saying that being as people will not need to take off their masks when ordering takeaways, and the time of their stay in the restaurants is likely to be relatively short, it is acceptable for them not to use the app or provide their contact details.

Asked about the conflicting statements, Chan told a radio programme that her earlier comment on the matter was in line with the original intention of the rules, but frontline officers could implement them differently.

“Frontline departments can, after considering the overall situation, issue guidelines, make clarifications and further interpret the rules. It often happens. What I talked about was the intention of the law, but not how it is enforced,” she said.

But she admitted that government bureaus and departments could communicate better.

According to the new rules, restaurant owners must ensure dine-in customers use the app, or leave their personal information, for contact-tracing. Restaurants that don't comply with the rules could be banned from providing dine-in services in the evenings for up to two weeks.