A Hong Kong lawmaker wants the Government to consider making vaccination against COVID-19 a requirement for promotion in the Public Service in order to further boost vaccination rates.
The call, by Steven Ho (pictured) came after Secretary for the Hong Kong Civil Service Bureau, Patrick Nip said the majority of Public Servants had been vaccinated against the virus with just six per cent yet to receive their first jab.
Mr Nip said those without a doctor’s note to indicate medical exemptions must pay out of their own pockets to test for the virus every two weeks.
Mr Ho asked Mr Nip why prospects for promotion shouldn’t be affected for any “extreme elements, uncooperative elements” who prefer paying for regular virus tests instead of getting vaccinated, without valid medical reasons.
“We should ask them to choose: [not getting vaccinated] will affect your promotion prospects. You can then choose not to be promoted,” Mr Ho said.
“In fact, these people’s ideology is bad, because they are bad in character. Perhaps they should be thrown out,” he said.
In response, Mr Nip said that under Hong Kong law vaccination was not mandatory for Government workers.
“In comparison, about 65 per cent of the city’s overall population eligible for the vaccine have received their first dose, while 59 per cent have received both,” Mr Nip said.
Hong Kong has recorded 12,166 Covid-19 cases and 213 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
Hong Kong, 23 September 2021
