The spokesman for the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) said today (February 17) that members of the public should get prepared for the full implementation of the "vaccine pass" from February 24 onwards by updating the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app to version 3.0.2 and storing COVID-19 vaccination records (electronic vaccination records) or COVID-19 Vaccination Medical Exemption Certificates in the app at the soonest for easy display.
　
     A vaccination record or an Exemption Certificate can be easily stored in the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app by scanning the vaccination record or Exemption Certificate with the app's storage function. Members of the public can also retrieve the QR code of their electronic vaccination record through "iAM Smart" or "eHealth", and import the QR code that is stored in their mobile phone's photo album to "LeaveHomeSafe". With the latest version of the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app, members of the public can open the vaccination record without a password or biometric authentication, facilitating users' easy display and premises operators' verification of the electronic vaccination record.
 
     If members of the public encounter any difficulties in using the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app, they can seek assistance from the mobile support stations of the OGCIO at 25 MTR stations, namely Sai Ying Pun, Wan Chai, North Point, Shau Kei Wan and Wong Chuk Hang Stations on Hong Kong Island; Nam Cheong, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Prince Edward, Kowloon Tong, Wong Tai Sin, Ho Man Tin, Kai Tak and Ngau Tau Kok Stations in Kowloon; and Sheung Shui, Tai Po Market, Tai Wai, Wu Kai Sha, Tiu Keng Leng, Tsuen Wan West, Kwai Fong, Tsing Yi, Tung Chung, Siu Hong and Long Ping Stations in the New Territories. The mobile stations are open from 9am to 6pm every day.
 
     Vaccination is highly effective in preventing severe cases or deaths from COVID-19. The implementation of the "vaccine pass" arrangement aims to raise the vaccination rate, with a view to strengthening the immune barrier against the epidemic and resuming Hong Kong people's normal life as soon as possible. Under the "vaccine pass" arrangement, premises are required to download or update the "QR Code Verification Scanner" mobile app to the latest version, namely 4.1.0, and record the data kept in the visitor's paper vaccination record, electronic vaccination record or Exemption Certificate, thus keeping a real-name record of its visitors. When confirmed COVID-19 cases have visited the venue, such data can assist the Centre for Health Protection in tracing persons with a high risk of infection and cut the transmission chains in the community as quickly and precisely as possible.
 
     The data temporarily saved in the "QR Code Verification Scanner" mobile app will only be stored for 31 days for anti-epidemic purposes. Personal data will be encrypted, masked and hashed into unidentifiable information. Even the venue staff cannot view the information stored in the "QR Code Verification Scanner" mobile app and the data will be deleted automatically after 31 days.
 

Ends/Thursday, February 17, 2022
Issued at HKT 12:58

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