HK$10.8m flat prize to boost flagging vaccine rate

Local property developers are putting up a flat worth nearly HK$11 million as the top prize in a lucky draw aimed at boosting the city’s dismal vaccination rate.

The prize, a HK$10.8 million one-bedroom flat at the Sino Group’s Grand Central development in Kwun Tong, is being offered up by the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation and Chinese Estates Holdings.

The groups announced on Friday that permanent ID card holders who have had both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine in Hong Kong can enter the lottery.

Besides the 449-square-foot flat, the foundation is also donating as prizes 20 pre-paid or credit cards loaded with a value of HK$100,000.

Anyone holding a Hong Kong ID card will be eligible, regardless of whether they are a permanent resident.

Registration details will be released later, but applications will need to be submitted on or before September 1.

“We hope the city’s total vaccination rate can be increased. Vaccination is an important step in our fight against the pandemic, and to protect ourselves, our loved ones, our friends and colleagues,” said the director of the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation, Daryl Ng.

Hong Kong has so far administered 2.25 million Covid-19 vaccine doses since the inoculation drive started in February, but just over 12 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated.

Medical experts say a vaccination rate of around 70 percent is needed to achieve herd immunity.