Contact-tracing app tipped to become mandatory at restaurants

November 03, 2021 10:02
Photo: RTHK/HK Government

The mandatory use of the LeaveHomeSafe app could come into effect at all restaurants as soon as the middle of November, RTHK reported Tuesday, quoting lawmaker Michael Tien.

Tien said he has learned that authorities plan to make it compulsory for Hongkongers to use the government's contact-tracing app when going to any kind of restaurant, as part of efforts to persuade the mainland to scrap quarantine requirement for Hong Kong visitors.

The mandatory use of the app has been broadened to cover government buildings lately, including wet markets, libraries, and public hospitals.

Currently, some restaurants are already implementing the app rule, others allow diners to provide their personal details in paper form and some have no entry requirements at all.

"The mainland side wants to see LeaveHomeSafe as the key apparatus to trace people from Hong Kong, who eventually test positive [for Covid-19], where they have been in the last 14 days," Tien said.

Hong Kong and mainland officials have been discussing about the possibility of quarantine-free travel, and there has been notable progress, according to reports.

Tien said he expects by the end of the year, there could be a limited quota per day to allow people to travel to the mainland without the need for quarantine.

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