Relaxed arrangements for “Vaccine Pass” scheme applicable to religious premises

1. RELAXED ARRANGEMENTS FOR “VACCINE PASS” SCHEME APPLICABLE TO RELIGIOUS PREMISES

Having assessed the pandemic risk and with a view to resuming social and economic activities in an orderly manner, the Government announced on 10 November 2022 a further relaxation of the social distancing measures, effective 17 November 2022. The “Vaccine Pass” scheme applicable to religious premises (i.e, churches or Mass centres) will be as follows: 

1. The maximum number of persons at each religious gathering (e.g., a weekday or Sunday Mass, or a wedding) remains unchanged, i.e., 85% of the normal capacity of the venue, while the maximum number of persons per group may not be more than 12 persons.  There is no restriction for participants at funerals.
   
2. All those who enter religious premises have to use the “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile application in compliance with the vaccination requirements under the Vaccine Pass; but they do not have to present the QR code of their vaccination record or Exemption Certificate.
   
   2.1  Vaccination Requirements: 
   (A) Persons aged 12 or above must have received the 3^rd dose of vaccine.
   (B) Persons aged between 5 and 11 must have received the 2^nd dose of vaccine.
   
   The above requirements are not applicable to persons aged under 5 or holders of the COVID-19 Vaccination Medical Exemption Certificate.
   
   Other provisions regarding the Vaccines Pass Scheme can be found at the Government website on “Dosage Schedule for Vaccine Pass” (https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/vp_t1_ENG.pdf), items (C1), (C2) and (C3), and related footnotes. 
   
   2.2  Holders of Amber Code (i.e. inbound persons from overseas places or Taiwan during the first three days on arrival) may also enter premises religious, subject to compliance with the above vaccination requirements under the Vaccine Pass. 

      

Given at the Chancery Office,
15 November 2022.

 

 

Rev. Lawrence LEE
Chancellor