Hospitals could still treat those without smartphones

The Hospital Authority said on Tuesday that it will “allow some flexibility” for people who require medical care but don’t have the LeaveHomeSafe Covid app that will soon be needed to enter government buildings.

The administration says from November 1, people aged between 12 and 65 will need to use the app to enter government sites, with only the disabled exempt.

But concerns have been raised about what this will mean for people who don’t have smartphones, including those who can’t afford them.

When it comes to public hospitals, staff will be flexible according to Dr Larry Lee, a chief manager with the authority.

“The minority of patients who don’t have smartphones… we will allow some flexibility for them to receive the medical services and emergency services,” he said.

Meanwhile, the authority said it had analysed more than 130 imported Covid cases recorded in Hong Kong between May and September.

It found that among the patients who were not vaccinated against the virus, one in five needed antiviral medication.

But less than four percent of those who were double jabbed needed the drugs, it said.

The authority urged people to get coronavirus jabs quickly, saying they are effective in preventing serious complications.