(To watch the full press conference with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The Government today announced that its employees will be entitled to a day of vaccination leave for each vaccination dose received before August 31 to allow them sufficient time to recuperate after getting a jab.

Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip made the announcement at a press conference this afternoon, saying the measure aims to further encourage government employees to receive COVID-19 vaccination as early as possible, adding that the arrangement will start from June 1.

He said: “This new initiative of granting one day of vaccination leave in the form of authorised absence per dose would be helpful to colleagues or government employees because it would facilitate them and enable them to have sufficient rest to recover from vaccination should there be any side effects.

“As you can see, we have adopted a progressive approach to facilitate our colleagues to get vaccinated. We will continue to monitor the situation and promote vaccination within the civil service.”

In recognition and appreciation of their support for the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, government employees who have been vaccinated will also be allowed to apply for one day of authorised absence that may be taken by March 31 next year for each dose received.

Mr Nip also called on employers of other enterprises to provide facilitation to their staff to receive vaccination, such as introducing vaccination leave arrangements.