Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip Tak-kuen chats with a man who has just received the COVID-19 vaccine at a mobile vaccination station at Maple Street Playground in Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, Jan 15, 2022. (PHOTO/HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG - The planned “vaccine pass” arrangement, mandating COVID-19 inoculations for those seeking entry to certain public places, will eventually require Hong Kong residents using the system to have three vaccinations, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said on Friday.

READ MORE: HK sees 131 new COVID-19 cases, 45% untraceable

Carrie Lam said regarding the policy, the government will amend the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) to include more premises, such as schools

Speaking at a news conference, Lam said the vaccine-pass program, which will be introduced on Feb 24, will initially allow anyone with at least one vaccination to enter certain public places, including eateries, public libraries and entertainment establishments.

However, the government will eventually require those using the vaccine pass to have had at least two doses, and later further restrict the program to those who have had three shots, Lam said.

Lam said regarding the policy, the government will amend the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) to include more premises, such as schools.

ALSO READ: HK to increase COVID-19 daily testing capacity

The issue will be discussed at the weekly Executive Council meeting on Feb 15.

The government earlier announced that the vaccine-pass arrangement will also cover residential-care homes for the elderly for those with disabilities who require long-term residency. The Social Welfare Department said on Friday that the arrangement will be implemented on March 14.