The Director of the Medical and Health Bureau, Lu Chongmao, said after attending a radio program yesterday (16th) that the real-name system for "travel with peace of mind" is not a priority, and he personally cooled the debate that has been raging for nearly a week.
"Hong Kong 01" attempts to summarize the remarks of various parties about the real-name system in the past week, so as to straighten out the context of this controversy for readers.
The vaccine pass takes effect today. Citizens must have at least one injection and travel with peace of mind when entering the mall.
(Photo by Liang Pengwei)
Lu Chongmao on the 10th: Researching the red and yellow codes for safe travel with the real-name system
Lu Chongmao first publicly stated that the government intends to register the real-name registration of "Safe Travel" on a TV program on July 10.
At that time, he mentioned that he hoped to inform the public not to go to high-risk places before informing them to undergo mandatory testing.
He pointed out that there should be a mechanism to prevent high-risk people from entering high-risk places, and referring to the mainland's "red, yellow and green code" practice and cooperating with the "safe travel" real-name system is one of the considerations.
At that time, he said that the relevant measures are used to identify confirmed cases, and once the nucleic acid test is positive, a "red code" will appear. Since some people hope to shorten the hotel quarantine period for those arriving in Hong Kong and change it to home quarantine, the "yellow code" can be used. Distinguish relevant persons so that they cannot enter or leave high-risk areas, but can go to work "point-to-point".
As for when it will be launched, Lu Chongmao said at the time that there was no timetable, but the sooner the better.
He added: "If the confirmed patients have freedom, let them go around, our freedom will be restricted for the undiagnosed people."
The Secretary for Medical and Health, Mr Lo Chongmao.
(file picture)
On the 11th, He Bailiang pointed out that it can help identify but not necessarily help reduce cases
The next day (11th), He Bailiang, director of the Center for Infection and Infectious Diseases of the University of Hong Kong, said on a radio program that if citizens who have positive nucleic acid tests and those entering the country who are under quarantine, first suspend the vaccine pass or convert it to a "red code", I believe it will be more accurate. epidemic prevention.
However, He Bailiang also emphasized that even if the measures are implemented, the cases may not be significantly reduced. He believes that the most effective method in the past two years is "closing the city", but considering that Hong Kong is returning to normal, it is more cost-effective to promote vaccination.
In the Legislative Council on the same day, although many members expressed their support for the measures, some members were concerned about implementation issues while supporting them. For example, Member of the Election Commission Chen Kaixin said that citizens should take the initiative to scan "safe travel" and vaccine passes when entering restaurants. Places such as shopping malls are "passive" and no one monitors the performance.
At the same time, it pointed out that the time lag of the government tracking the whereabouts of infected people will lead to the spread of the epidemic.
On the 11th, Lu Chongmao explained the red and yellow code on the real-name system: change is eternal
Lu Chongmao explained the "red and yellow codes" again in the afternoon, referring to the government's desire to more accurately identify people under home quarantine, and hoped that the sooner the better, the "red code" people could theoretically not move around freely, and the "yellow code" ensured that they would not be able to move around freely. Access to high-risk places and high-risk activities should not restrict ride-hailing, details will be explained later when it is rolled out.
When asked about the fact that the previous government mentioned that "travel with peace of mind" would not have a real-name system, Lu Chongmao said that the red-yellow code and the real-name system were adopted to ensure that the relevant people abide by the rules. Yes, I didn't realize there was a change from the previous government.
On the same day, Lu Chongmao announced that from Friday (15th), those diagnosed at home must wear electronic bracelets.
In terms of "travel with peace of mind", when a citizen has a positive nucleic acid test, our suggestion is that the mobile phone program of the confirmed person will be converted to a "red code". The function of the "red code" is to identify the confirmed infected person and prevent them from entering. some special places.
The public should understand that these confirmed cases should actually be quarantined. According to Hong Kong law, we have issued a quarantine order. Whether they are sent to some designated quarantine facilities or home quarantined, they should not be in the community. Move around and endanger the health of other citizens.
If there is a "red code" as identification, we can be more in place and more rigorous when implementing isolation measures.
Lu Chongmao explained the "red code" on the 11th
Can the current seven-day quarantine in designated quarantine hotels be changed to localized, home-based health surveillance?
Health surveillance means that after completing the quarantine days in the designated quarantine hotels, these persons in quarantine can return to suitable accommodation, meet the requirements of home health surveillance, and then conduct a "point-to-point" management, and they can respond to corresponding activities , may include work or school, but at the same time, they still have a certain level of risk, so we have to limit them to places where they cannot go to some high-risk groups. Some activities that require removing the mask and may cause transmission are not allowed.
This is one of the first people we will introduce the "yellow code" to.
If there is a "yellow code" for identification, we can consider making appropriate adjustments to these inbound passengers who were originally in designated quarantine hotels.
As a home health surveillance, the "yellow code" is used as a means of identification, so that they will not enter the places of some high-risk groups and carry out some high-risk activities, including especially some activities that remove masks.
Lu Chongmao explained the "yellow code" on the 11th
On July 12, 2022, Chief Executive Li Jiachao met with reporters before attending the executive meeting, and mentioned the study of the red and yellow codes for "travel with peace of mind", but did not mention the real-name system.
(File photo / Photo by Lu Yiming)
On the 12th, Li Jiachao explained that the red and yellow codes are for specific people without mentioning the real-name system.
On Tuesday (12th), the government's "tone" began to change.
At the press conference before the Executive Council, Chief Executive Li Jiachao was asked about the real-name system for "travel with peace of mind". He responded that it would not happen and would be unrealistic to apply any measures to non-anti-epidemic areas.
Li Jiachao mentioned that the scope of the red and yellow codes is narrow. The "red codes" are only for confirmed people, and the "yellow codes" are only for people who are isolated. "Most people do not need to be regulated."
It is worth noting that Li Jiachao did not mention the real-name system of "travel with peace of mind" in his entire speech.
The "red and yellow codes" currently being studied by the Medical and Health Bureau are currently being conceived to have a narrow scope of application, that is, the "red codes" are only for confirmed cases, and only confirmed cases will have "red codes". people should no longer engage in activities that could infect others.
The scope of application of the "yellow code" is also narrow, and it is only for people currently quarantined in hotels. We are considering how to optimize the entire isolation period and introduce a "yellow code" to deal with this category of people.
So just for these two groups of people.
I can tell you with certainty that the "red code" and "yellow code" currently being conceived are only for the two categories of people just mentioned. "Yellow code", other people are not affected.
Li Jiachao explained the red and yellow codes on the 12th
On the 12th, Tian Beichen called it "doing it": temporarily disable the vaccine pass
On the same day, Tian Beichen said on the radio program that the introduction of the red-yellow code system "does it for the sake of doing it", and suggested that the government should make good use of the existing tools to temporarily suspend the vaccine pass of quarantine persons or close contacts until they complete quarantine or Recover after testing.
On the 13th, Li Jiachao once again emphasized who the red and yellow codes are suitable for
By Wednesday (13th), a report quoted people familiar with the matter as saying that the real-name system for "Travel with Peace of Mind" had been "closed", saying that it would be replaced by a vaccine passport.
Li Jiachao re-emphasized that when the government studies the use of "red and yellow codes" for "safe travel", the "red codes" are for all confirmed cases, preventing them from going out, while the "yellow codes" are for those arriving at the airport, hoping to shorten the hotel quarantine Time, also refers to Lu Chongmao is studying the relevant data, and will announce it when there is a decision.
Sun Dong on the 14th: No plans to travel with peace of mind
"Hong Kong 01" published an exclusive interview with the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Sun Dong, on Thursday (14th). He mentioned that the real-name system for calling cards will be implemented on February 23 next year. Emphasize that there is no tracking function.
Sun Dong met with the media after attending the event on the same day, emphasizing that the real-name system was not considered when designing "Safe Travel", and there is no plan to strengthen the "Safe Travel" real-name or add tracking functions before February next year.
For example, if a person is obviously positive for nucleic acid, but the current "Travel With Peace of Mind" cannot identify him, he is the same as everyone when he goes to a restaurant to eat and where he goes.
If it is reflected through the new system, it is confirmed that he is a "red code" and can only be isolated at home, which is generally a positive factor for the society.
Sun Dong mentioned the red code for safe travel in an exclusive interview published on the 14th of "Hong Kong 01"
On the 14th, Tian Beichen was superfluous: confirmed patients cannot go out with electronic wristbands
In an interview with "Hong Kong 01" on the 14th, Tian Beichen pointed out that the real-name system of "travel with peace of mind" is difficult to implement, because it is impossible to send people to check in various places, which is described as false, and also that all confirmed patients wear electronic wristbands is the easiest way. And the confirmed person can't go out at all, "Why don't you feel at ease with different colors?"
Fang Baoqiao, honorary chairman of the Hong Kong Information Technology Chamber of Commerce, believes that "travel with peace of mind" is technically feasible to bind a phone number, but it may require re-registration by the whole people, and the reactions of the public and the business community need to be considered.
He also pointed out that there will be a paper needle card after the new crown vaccination. Citizens can hold a paper needle card to enter and exit, but "a piece of paper does not recognize the color change", and there are many details to be considered when implementing it.
At the same time, another report cited news that the government believes that it is necessary to balance the opinions of all parties, and it is mentioned that the identification of "vaccine passport" is one of the research options.
On the 15th, Lin Zhexuan pointed out that when traveling with ease, the yellow and red codes are equivalent to medical records. Be careful
The government announced (15th) that confirmed patients must wear electronic wristbands, and confirmed patients who are quarantined at home must wear electronic wristbands with tracking function to prevent people from going out in violation of regulations.
On the same day, Lin Zhexuan, a member of the medical and health sector, pointed out that it is not safe to rely on the real-name function of the phone card alone, because it is necessary to identify whether the mobile phone holder is the person.
Lin Zhexuan also pointed out that the "red and yellow codes" for safe travel in the future are equivalent to medical records, emphasizing that medical records should be handled more clearly and carefully.
On the 16th, Lu Chongmao pointed out that the real-name system for safe travel is not a priority
Yesterday (16th) Lu Chongmao said that the real-name system of the "Safe Travel" program is not a priority, and there is no need to change the "Safe Travel" program at present. He reiterated that the red code identifies confirmed cases and prevents them from entering the community and related places; the yellow code identifies immigrants and restricts them. Entering specific places to help reduce the number of entry quarantine days, both of which have no impact on most Hong Kong people.
I want to stress again that we are now proposing the so-called "red and yellow codes", which is absolutely no tracking function, we just need to identify.
These people who have been diagnosed, in fact, must have their identities registered; and these travelers entering from abroad, there is no doubt that when they go to the quarantine hotel, they will definitely register their identities and have been identified. This is our The goal.
Lu Chongmao explained the red and yellow codes on the 16th
Rumors in the political circle｜Anxie Travel plans to change the "nucleic acid passport" and "yellow code" to prohibited entry to designated places to set up a red, yellow and green health code Please don't believe the troublemaker: the government must obey the law. Interview | Sun Dong: Travel with peace of mind. In February next year, the real-name system will be used for pro-professional analysis. The reason is that there is no tracking function. Travel with peace of mind. Lu Chongmao expects 25% of medical services to be affected by the end of the month, Hong Kong's epidemic prevention policy cannot be flattened