Hong Kong suspends mandatory vax for foreign domestic helpers

Hong Kong has suspended its mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for foreign domestic helpers after facing concerns about discrimination and feasibility.

The decision came after Senator Joel Villanueva stated that mandatory vaccination would be discriminatory against overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and should be based on informed choice, not compulsion.

Hong Kong health officials had previously planned to impose vaccination as a requirement for domestic workers applying for or renewing work visas, deeming them high-risk.

The Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong thanked the Hong Kong government for its understanding and expressed readiness for dialogue.

Despite the suspension of the mandate, Hong Kong still aims to complete its mandatory COVID-19 testing program for all 370,000 domestic helpers by May 9.

The original policy was implemented after a domestic worker from the Philippines was found to have a more contagious variant of the coronavirus.

The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong encourages Filipinos in the region to participate in Hong Kong's free and voluntary vaccination program.