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OGCIO
18-11-2020

S for IT visits Kowloon City to keep abreast of “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile app implementation (with photos)

The Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Alfred Sit, today (November 18) toured a market, restaurants, a bar and a karaoke establishment in Kowloon City District to keep abreast of the implementation of the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app.

Accompanied by the Deputy Director of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), Miss Diane Wong, Mr Sit started his visit at the To Kwa Wan Market. He toured market stalls to learn more about the FEHD's work in guarding against COVID-19 with the aid of technology and promoting the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app. Venue QR codes are put up at market entrances and prominent positions, with posters being displayed alongside with QR codes to allow members of the public to better understand how to download and use the mobile app, and to keep a more precise record of their whereabouts. The FEHD's subsidy scheme for promotion of contactless payment in public markets will provide a one-off subsidy to tenants of public markets to promote the use of contactless payment in market stalls. This will help reduce virus transmission in the markets. He exchanged views with representatives of trade associations, stall tenants and market patrons present on the implementation of the anti-epidemic measures.

Mr Sit then visited different premises in the vicinity, including a karaoke establishment, a local cafe kitchen, a foot massage parlour, a bar, a noodle stall and a Chinese restaurant. He chatted with shop operators and members of the public and listened to their views for further refinements.

Mr Sit said, "We have all along been actively engaging various sectors and enlisting their support for the 'LeaveHomeSafe' mobile app. The response is encouraging and so far we have over 10 000 public and private venues taking part in the scheme. We will continue to step up our efforts to get the message across and invite more sectors, such as restaurant chains, retail outlets and property management businesses to participate. With concerted efforts and the aid of technology, we can encourage the public to develop a habit of keeping a more precise record of their whereabouts which can help fight the virus and get better prepared for guarding against the fourth wave of the pandemic."

There are currently over 10 000 public and private venues participating in the scheme. Among them, 6 000 are public venues, which include government office buildings, sports centres, swimming pools, libraries, markets, cooked food markets, community halls/centres, building lobbies and shopping centres of public housing estates, hospitals, clinics, post offices and terminals. Nearly 4 000 participating venues are privately owned, including banks, restaurants, coffee shops, karaoke establishments, bars and pubs, clubs, hotels, fitness centres, cinemas, malls, shops, and commercial and residential buildings. The "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app can be used directly in over 18 000 taxis. Interested institutions or organisations should contact the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer direct (Designated email address: leavehomesafe@ogcio.gov.hk).

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