More kids exempt under LeaveHomeSafe expansion

More children are to be exempt from using LeaveHomeSafe when the roll-out of the government Covid app is expanded on December 9 to include all restaurants, with under 16s allowed in without scanning.

When use of the app was extended to all government buildings on November 1, children under 12 were exempted, along with people aged 65 and above, and those with disabilities.

The government said on Monday that the current requirements will remain in place for its buildings, which include wet markets, hospitals and libraries.

However the more relaxed rule for children will apply to restaurants, cinemas, hotels, gyms, theme parks and some other establishments when mandatory app use for the general public at these places is enforced from December 9.

If under 16s are accompanied by an adult, they won’t even have to jot down their personal details on paper, officials said.

However, the exemptions won’t apply to bars, clubs, bathhouses, party rooms, karaokes and mahjong parlours, where customers of any age will have to use the app.

The government said that certain people who don’t have smartphones, such as those who are homeless, will be added to the exemption list, depending on the actual situation.

A statement added that from December 9, all restaurants can offer dine-in services until at least 11pm, but all staff will either have to be vaccinated or tested regularly for Covid.