(Central station) Party-goer doc gets salty after failing to use LeaveHomeSafe

A doctor who failed to use the LeaveHomeSafe app when attending a controversial birthday party last Monday got salty when a radio program host asked him about it.

Dr Daniel Chu Wai-sing accused Commercial Radio to have "spread hatred" when he was questioned about not using the app as required by law. 

Thirteen government officials and 20 lawmakers were among 170 guests attending the party in a Wan Chai restaurant, celebrating the 53rd birthday of Witman Hung Wai-man, a city delegate to the National People’s Congress.

As of Monday, at least two Covid-19 cases were detected at the party, according to health officials.

Speaking on a radio program on Monday, Chu, the husband of RTHK host Joyce Yeung, admitted he did not register his visit with the LeaveHomeSafe app the day he attended the party, adding that no one at the restaurant checked the guests’ vaccination records.

His wife Yeung was tested preliminary positive after the party on Friday and was ruled a false positive case due to sample contamination the next day. Guests who were sent to the quarantine center because of her were later allowed to leave.

Explaining why he failed to use the contact tracing app as required by the government, Chu said there were a lot of people at the party and he failed to locate the LeaveHomeSafe QR code.

“It is not that easy to keep that (using the app) in mind, especially when there are a lot of people,” said Chu.

The radio host also asked if restaurant staff checked his vaccination records when he arrived at the type D restaurant that day - where two-thirds of people dining at the restaurant must have received the first dose of the vaccine.

The doctor admitted that no one has checked his vaccination records, and questioned whether other banquet organizers arrange staff to check diners’ records.

Just as the radio host tried to explain that such measures are required under the city’s Covid rules and people must obey them, Chu seemed irritated and asked the host “you guys really obey the law?”

He accused Commercial Radio to have spread hatred over the past two years, but did not elaborate how when the host pressed him for an explanation. 

He also said he regretted accepting the interview, claiming it is "a bit boring" for people to keep talking about the party. 

“I am not trying to play down the fall out of the party…but people are missing the main point of this incident. People should talk about the anti-pandemic measures with some 30 cases diagnosed lately, instead of focusing on the party,” said Chu.