New app update readies parents for kid jab pass

Parents can now save their children's inoculation records in their LeaveHomeSafe app after an update as vaccine pass requirements will be extended to kids aged five to 11 from Friday.

And restaurants are introducing takeaway discounts for those with unvaccinated children as they expect families to dine out less under the extended requirement.

The updated contact tracing app includes a new feature allowing users to add up to eight vaccine passes of "companions" - who must be 65 or older or children under 15.

But the app will not store their companions' travel records.

Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong's lawmaker Edward Leung Hei, who had made the suggestion, commended the government for introducing the new feature in time.

He said it will make it more convenient for parents and caregivers.

From Friday, children aged five to 11 are required to receive at least one dose to enter listed premises. Those who received their first dose three months ago will need to receive the second dose to be eligible.

As of yesterday, about 50,000 kids - accounting for 12 percent of children aged five to 11 - could be banned from listed premises as they have not received a jab.

Ray Chui Man-wai, president of the Institute of Dining Professionals, said the new requirement will hit the catering business hard as many children are not inoculated.

"The catering industry is considering introducing takeaway discounts for families with unvaccinated children and inbound visitors during their three-day medical surveillance," Chui said.

He also hoped a 0+0 arrangement can be adopted to "reduce the unnecessary prevention measure so that the sector can do business easier" and that the government will simultaneously relax other restaurant restrictions.

Chui said the vaccine pass is required to help prevent outbreaks and reduce deaths.

"Without the vaccine pass, we won't know whether diners have been fully vaccinated or not, which may cause a rebound," he added.

Meanwhile, pediatrician Patrick Ip Pak-keung has cautioned of seasonal influenza outbreaks in winter.

He urged vulnerable groups - including children and seniors - to take Covid and flu jabs soon. Both vaccines can be given at the same time.

"As children spend less time in school coupled with the public's increased awareness of the epidemic prevention during the pandemic, the community's exposure to the influenza virus has been reduced. It is expected that there will be a [large number of influenza cases] in winter," Ip said.

Ip reminded that those who have recovered from Covid need to be vaccinated against influenza.

The vaccination can be given one month after the date of recovery, which is 14 days after the positive test date. If the patient was infected within 14 days after receiving the first dose of the vaccine, he or she should be considered not vaccinated, he said.

stacy.shi@singtaonewscorp.com