HK pauses mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for foreign helpers

Hong Kong has temporarily halted its plan to make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for foreign domestic workers following backlash from human rights groups and criticism from Philippine officials.

After a Filipino domestic worker was found to have a more contagious variant of the virus, Hong Kong authorities initially required all 370,000 foreign domestic workers to get tested before May 9 and vaccinated before renewing their contracts.

However, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam announced on Tuesday that the policy would be reviewed after criticism from worker groups and Philippine officials.

The Philippine Consulate thanked Hong Kong for its understanding and encouraged Filipino workers there to avail of the city's free and voluntary vaccination program.