More than 40 percent of members surveyed by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Hong Kong said they might leave the territory, highlighting the business community’s concerns over a China-imposed National Security Law and the local government’s handling of COVID-19 outbreaks.
Singapore figured among the most popular potential destinations, while some mentioned Tokyo, Taipei and Thailand as alternatives, the lobby group said in a report released yesterday.
Conducted between May 5 and 9, the survey received responses from 325 members, accounting for 24 percent of the total, including companies.
“We believe many businesses will have strong opportunities to thrive in the
The Straits Times
Hong Kong scraps plan for compulsory vaccines for domestic workers
Foreign domestic workers queue for Covid-19 tests in the Central district of Hong Kong on May 2, 2021.PHOTO: EPA-EFE
PublishedMay 11, 2021, 11:22 am SGT
https://str.sg/Jtj9
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Hong Kong Scraps Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccines For Foreign Domestic Workers After Outcry
At a news briefing, Hong Kong Chief executive Carrie Lam said: “If we use compulsory vaccination, we will face a series of problems, including legal problems.”
IMAGE: AP
Hong Kong on Tuesday scrapped the plan of mandatory vaccination of all the foreign domestic workers after diplomatic outcry and condemnation from all quarters. Health authorities had earlier introduced the regulations for the compulsory inoculation of more than 370,000 domestic workers in the city, mostly from the Philippines and Indonesia, CNA reported. The government planned to jab everyone that sought to apply for work visas in Hong Kong or apply for renewal with the two-dose regime of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, due to mounting criticism mainly from the Philippines government, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam backpacked on the orders saying that such a requirement will no longer be applied.
COVID-19: HK scraps mandatory vaccines plan taipeitimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from taipeitimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP / MANILA BULLETIN)
In a South China Morning Post report on Tuesday, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said health authorities are now reviewing whether to make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for foreign domestic helpers.
Officials will decide whether residents who live in the same block where local coronavirus cases involving mutated strains were found could shorten their mandatory 21-day quarantine, she added.
Lam said the government is still planning to complete its mandatory COVID-19 testing program for all domestic helpers by May 9.
“We have never done [mandatory vaccinations] before, so I have asked the secretary for labor to review the whole policy, such as the rationale and feasibility, and to consult advisers and consulates for the countries where domestic workers primarily come from as to whether compulsory vaccinations can be done, or if it will cause other problems if we proceed,” Lam sa