The use of the LeaveHomeSafe mobile app will be extend to all premises regulated under the Prevention & Control of Disease (Requirements & Directions) (Business & Premises) Regulation from December 9, the Government announced today.

The Food & Health Bureau said that in light of COVID-19 mutant strains spreading extremely fast globally, it must stay vigilant and adopt stringent epidemic control measures to follow through on the anti-epidemic strategy of guarding against the importation of cases and the resurgence of domestic infections in order to attain the goal of dynamic zero infection.

To enhance the efficiency and precision of tracing, assessing exposure risk and testing upon identification of confirmed cases, it is necessary to implement the relevant measures with a view to enhancing the epidemic control capacity to protect the public, the bureau said.

At present, some catering business premises and scheduled premises under the regulation have already implemented the requirement of mandatory use of the LeaveHomeSafe by customers or users.

Starting from December 9, the requirement will be applicable to all catering business premises and scheduled premises under regulation, ie all catering business premises that offer dine-in services, bars or pubs, bathhouses, party rooms, clubs or nightclubs, karaoke establishments, mahjong-tin kau premises, cruise ships, amusement game centres, fitness centres, places of amusement, places of public entertainment, beauty parlours and massage establishments, clubhouses, sports premises, swimming pools, hotel and guesthouses, and event premises.

Customers or users of all these premises must scan the LeaveHomeSafe venue QR code using the mobile app before entering the premises.

Having considered that some individuals are unable to meet the requirement due to reasonable reasons, three categories of people may fill in a specified form as an alternative to the use of the app. They are people aged 65 or above and aged 15 or below, people with disability and those recognised by the Government or organisations authorised by the Government.

People aged 15 or below would not have to register his or her personal information using the specified form if he or she is accompanied by an adult who has complied with the LeaveHomeSafe requirement.

The current requirement that all customers of bars or pubs, bathhouses, party rooms, clubs or nightclubs, karaoke establishments and mahjong-tin kau premises must use the mobile app remains unchanged.

Scheduled premises managed by the Government will continue to implement the requirement on the LeaveHomeSafe use following the prevailing arrangement applicable to government buildings and offices.

In addition, type A mode of operation for catering businesses will no longer be applicable after the full implementation of the LeaveHomeSafe requirement from December 9.

All catering business premises must operate according to one of the operating modes among types B, C and D mode of operation. The period during which dine-in services are allowed under type B mode of operation will be extended for one hour to 10.59pm.