‘Doctor’s note rule for non-vaccinated is too much’

Catering sector leaders say they have been blindsided by the requirement for staff to produce a doctor’s note if they refuse their employers’ request for them to get a Covid-19 jab.

While the vaccines are not mandatory for anyone in Hong Kong, having staff inoculated is a prerequisite for pubs and clubs to reopen from Thursday. Restaurants will also have to follow the requirement if they want to operate past 10pm, or seat more than four people at a table.

Speaking on an RTHK radio show, Raymond Chui from the Institution of Dining Art said he was shocked to hear about the doctor’s note rule for staff who make a declaration stating they are not getting a jab for medical reasons.

He estimated that around 50 to 60 percent of those in the industry are willing to be vaccinated and said he believes most large restaurants will be able to fulfil the requirements in order to ease their pandemic restrictions.

But Chui said he would like the government to take a more relaxed approach when it comes to staff who aren’t vaccinated, as having to visit a doctor will be a financial burden for workers.

He said restaurants shouldn’t fire staff who are unwilling to take a jab, and they could move such workers to particular branches instead.

Speaking on the same show, Ben Leung, from the Licensed Bar and Club Association, said the government’s decision on doctors’ notes differed to what was discussed at meetings on easing restrictions.

He said he believes even doctors would have difficulty in deciding exactly who should avoid the jabs.

Leung said the pubs and clubs reopening will only get five percent of their pre-pandemic business back, as their customers will also need to be vaccinated and only 850,000 or so people have taken their first dose.

He said he doesn’t want to see layoffs, but some businesses may have no choice but to fire staff who are unwilling to take jabs.

Explaining the government’s policy on morning radio shows, Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene Irene Young said it shouldn’t be too much trouble for restaurant and bar staff to get a doctor’s note. She said they would be consulting a doctor anyway to find out if they are physically fit to get a vaccine.

Young said doctors will have to explicitly state whether a patient is unsuitable for vaccination, and authorities trust their professional judgement.

Guidelines on the issue will be announced as soon as possible, she added.