Real-name Registration Not Necessary: Health Chief

Health secretary Lo Chung-mau on Saturday said having real-name registration on the LeaveHomeSafe app "isn't something the government is considering with priority", and most people won't be affected by the colour codes that will appear on the Covid app.

Speaking on a radio programme, Professor Lo said real-name registration won't be necessary when the authorities know who the Covid patients and inbound travellers are.

He said these people will have red or yellow codes on their LeaveHomeSafe app, which will bar them from high-risk places.

The official stressed that most people wouldn't be affected by the colour-code system, adding the app won't have a tracking function.

"For the majority of the people, there is no need to have any change in the LeaveHomeSafe [app]," he said.

"The red code is meant for those who have confirmed infections by the PCR test, and these people should have their identity registered... In fact by law, these people should stay at designated isolation areas.

"Whereas for the yellow code, we meant to use this to... relieve the restriction imposed on our inbound travellers. With the yellow code... we will be able to perhaps reduce the designated hotel quarantine period."

Meanwhile, Professor Lo said the daily caseload could more than double in two weeks, and 2,000 hospital beds for patients with acute illness could be used for coronavirus patients.

The minister said non-Covid patients are already being affected, and by the end of the month a quarter of public medical services - like non-emergency checkups and surgeries - may be reduced.

He said the administration couldn't "lie flat" in terms of anti-epidemic measures, and it will strive to reduce infection figures.