[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-seop] Hong Kong is expanding the COVID-19 vaccine pass requirement to include children aged 5 and above.
On the 8th, Hong Kong health authorities announced that the vaccine pass, currently applicable to those aged 12 and above, will be extended to children aged 5 to 11 starting next month. Accordingly, children aged 5 to 11 must receive their first COVID-19 vaccine dose by the 30th of this month. The second dose must be completed by November 30.
The authorities explained, "Already, 83% of children aged 5 to 11 have received their first vaccine dose, and 70% have completed the second dose," adding, "This means that only 68,000 children have not received any vaccine dose." They also urged, "Parents are encouraged to have their children vaccinated as soon as possible."
The vaccine pass is required for entry into restaurants, supermarkets, medical facilities, and other venues. Since May 31, citizens aged 12 and above in Hong Kong must have received up to the third vaccine dose to use these facilities. Compliance is enforced by scanning a QR code at the entrance, and violations result in fines.
The number of new COVID-19 infections in Hong Kong reached 11,091, with daily new cases rising back to the 10,000 range since the 1st of this month. The cumulative number of infections stands at 1,623,078, with a total of 9,769 deaths.
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