Vaccine Checks To Be Eased, Amber Health Code Relaxed

Vaccine record scanning will be dropped at some types of venue next week, campsites will reopen and arrivals with amber health codes will be allowed to enter more places, officials announced on Thursday.

From November 17, various places where people don't usually take their masks off, such as wet markets, theme parks, hair salons and religious venues, will no longer be off-limits to inbound travellers during their first three days in Hong Kong.

At the same time, other people will no longer have to scan their vaccine record QR codes when they enter such premises. Eating will also be allowed once again at outdoor sports stadiums.

Despite the easing of rules on vaccine record checks, Undersecretary for Health Libby Lee said people should continue to use the LeaveHomeSafe app, adding that it's "the same as carrying an ID card around".

On Thursday, the SAR reported 5,697 new Covid infections, of which 495 were imported. Nine more Covid patients have died.