LeaveHomeSafe alert function suspended

Sarcastic comments flooded the internet after authorities stopped alerting LeaveHomeSafe users about Covid-19 cases found at the premises they visited.

In a press conference on Sunday, principal medical and health officer of the Department of Health Albert Au Ka-wing admitted the risk notification function on LeaveHomeSafe has been suspended. 

In the past, people get alerts reminding them to get tested if they visited the same location as a Covid-19 patient. But due to the severe outbreak and bottleneck in testing, such alerts are no longer sent out, Au said. 

“Premises visited by Covid-19 patients spread throughout Hong Kong now. It is no longer possible to enforce the alert system,” he said. 

Netizens are both shocked and amused by the development, saying they no longer see the point in using LeaveHomeSafe anymore as its contact tracing function becomes non-existent. 

But under the law, people are still required to scan the QR code of premises they visit. Those who don't face a fine of HK$5,000. 

Due to implementation of the “vaccine pass”, an unvaccinated person who enters a regulated premise such as restaurant without using the LeaveHomeSafe app can face two fixed penalty tickets totaling HK$10,000. 

“Outbreaks are everywhere. One can no longer leave home safe,” a netizen joked. 

Another said the government keeps the LeaveHomeSafe requirement so that it can profit from fines.