People who get the vaccine may be able to form social bubbles, it was announced yesterday. Photo: SCMP/Edmond SoAs part of a bit to encourage people to get the Covid-19 vaccine, Hongkongers who have received their jabs will be able to form “vaccination bubbles” and gather in larger numbers than currently allowed at venues such as restaurants.
The road map for relaxing social-distancing rules was revealed on Monday as sources said the government was planning to ease quarantine rules for aircrew who had also received both doses, although that would initially only apply to cargo flights.
“Hong Kong has recorded no untraceable cases over the past three days, which is a good sign … the city’s fourth wave is already under control apparently,” Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said.
“Without major outbreaks, Hong Kong can be categorised as a low-risk area according to the global standards.”
She revealed the rulebook revisions at a press conference against a backdrop carrying the slogan “A new direction in fighting the pandemic”.
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Social-distancing rules currently include limiting public gatherings and restaurant tables to four people.
Since the launch of the local Covid-19 vaccination programme in late February, about 578,900 people, or 7.7 per cent of the city’s 7.5 million population, have received the first dose of vaccine. Some 255,900 people, or 3.4 per cent of the population, meanwhile, have received the second dose and are considered fully vaccinated.
The city currently offers the mainland China-produced Sinovac vaccine and the German-made BioNTech version.