Hong Kong's new phase of normalcy: COVID-19 hotlines cease operation, vaccination provisions under EO to be repealed

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People belonging to the priority groups can still receive an additional vaccine booster free of charge in 2023.

With the local epidemic situation continuing to subside, and social and economic activities resuming to full normalcy, the HKSAR government has announced a new phase of prevention and control measures and vaccination arrangements.

COVID-19-related hotlines to cease operation starting from 18 April 2023

The Government has announced that the COVID-19 hotlines (2125 1111/2125 1122/1830 111) under the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health, as well as the enquiry hotline (1836 115) and the Chinese Medicine Service Hotline (1834 511) under the Hospital Authority (HA), will cease operations starting from 8pm on 18 April 2023 (Tuesday).

Upon the cessation of operation of the relevant hotlines, members of the public may continue to visit the COVID-19 Thematic Website for information.

People belonging to the priority groups can receive an additional vaccine booster free of charge in 2023

In light of the experts' advice, the Government has announced that people belonging to the following priority groups can receive an additional vaccine booster six months after their last dose or COVID-19 infection (whichever is later) free of charge in 2023, regardless of the number of vaccine doses they received in the past:

• Individuals aged 50 or above (including elderly living in residential care homes);
• Persons aged 18 to 49 years with underlying comorbidities;
• Persons aged six months or above and with immunocompromising conditions;
• Pregnant women; and
• Healthcare workers.

People who do not belong to any priority groups can be effectively protected as long as they have received a total of three doses of COVID-19 vaccine. For those who are aged six months or above, and do not belong to any of the aforementioned priority groups, they can continue to receive the first three doses of COVID-19 vaccine free of charge if they have never been infected with COVID-19. 

Eligible individuals who need to receive an additional vaccine booster can make a booking through the website starting from 9am on 20 April 2023.

Other members of the public who have yet to complete the first three doses of vaccines can make a booking online at any time. Individuals aged 50 or above and children aged below 18 may also visit Community Vaccination Centres to get vaccinated through walk-in services.

Eligible children aged between 5-11 years who have received two doses of Comirnaty vaccine with a dosing interval of at least five months since the administration of the last dose of vaccine, may also visit Children Community Vaccination Centres to receive the third dose of vaccine without prior booking.

Starting from 20 April 2023, members of the public wishing to receive vaccine boosters exceeding the above specified free doses under the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme 2023 will need to get the vaccine in the private market at their own expense, in the same way as the arrangement for seasonal influenza vaccines. Those who have made a booking before 20 April for vaccination are not affected.

Repeal of provisions relating to COVID-19 vaccination under Employment Ordinance effective from 16 June 2023

With the Government's removal of the statutory Vaccine Pass requirement previously, and Hong Kong's society resuming normalcy in full, having consulted the Health Bureau and the Department of Health, the Labour Department (LD) has announced to repeal the vaccination provisions under the Employment Ordinance (EO) on 16 June 2023 after LegCo's full negative vetting period has run its course.

Ancillary to the Government's anti-epidemic measures, the vaccination provisions were added to the EO pursuant to the Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2022 which took effect on 17 June 2022. The relevant provisions stipulate that the dismissal of an employee due to non-compliance with a legitimate COVID-19 vaccination request made by his/her employer is not considered as an unreasonable dismissal.

A spokesman for the LD said starting from 16 June 2023, there will be no vaccination provisions under the EO, and any legitimate vaccination request made under the EO prior to the aforesaid date shall cease to have effect on or after that date.

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