Unvaccinated to be banned from more venues

Health Secretary Sophia Chan said on Friday that the “vaccine bubble” policy will be expanded by Lunar New Year, with more places to be made off-limits for those who haven’t had a jab.

Currently, the at least one-jab requirement applies to visitors to bars, nightclubs, bathhouses and karaokes.

But Chan said at a press conference that by Lunar New Year, people going to venues like restaurants, gyms, cinemas, beauty salons and libraries will need to have had at least one Covid jab, and workers at these venues will need to be fully vaccinated.

Only those who are too young or medically unfit to be inoculated will be exempted.

“We are not saying one dose of vaccination is enough, but we have to be practical while we implement this ‘vaccine bubble’ measure… as soon as possible,” she said.

“And why before Chinese New Year? Because we understand during the holiday people will be coming together, so it’s important for them to protect themselves as soon as possible.”

The minister also called on the public to avoid crowded places or mask-less settings.