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Saturday, Feb 22, 2025
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Authorities to study judgment after losing in vaccine exemption controversy
The latest judgment ruling that the health secretary doesn't have the legal powers to invalidate over 20,000 vaccine exemptions will be thoroughly studied by the Department of Justice, chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu said, as he stressed all Covid-19 curbs are to protect public health.
On Friday, a High Court judge released a judgment in which he ruled Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau doesn't have the legal powers to invalidate over 20,000 vaccine exemptions issued by seven doctors – arrested for allegedly “selling” the exemptions.
On a radio program Saturday morning, Lee said the judgment dives deeply into details. The Health Bureau and the DoJ will thoroughly study the judgment to decide on further follow-up measures.
He stressed the government always does things by the law.
As for suggestions of further amending the law by Executive Councilors, Lee believed this controversy involves professional concerns and added authorities will act on the advice of the DoJ.
The Hong Kong leader pointed out that all Covid-19 curbs are here to protect public health, intending to keep the pandemic under control and protect the vulnerable.
When asked if this lost judicial review would weaken the SAR's authority on administration, Lee said the city had a well-established legal system, and authorities back then made the decision based on their interpretations of the law articles.
If the court interprets the articles differently, the DoJ will follow up on that.
On another note, Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan, Secretary for the Civil Service, said about 300 civil servants using the vaccine exemptions issued by the seven doctors can still go to work. She added that there will not be any special regulation if they are to submit a new one as well.
On a radio program Saturday morning, Lee said the judgment dives deeply into details. The Health Bureau and the DoJ will thoroughly study the judgment to decide on further follow-up measures.
He stressed the government always does things by the law.
As for suggestions of further amending the law by Executive Councilors, Lee believed this controversy involves professional concerns and added authorities will act on the advice of the DoJ.
The Hong Kong leader pointed out that all Covid-19 curbs are here to protect public health, intending to keep the pandemic under control and protect the vulnerable.
When asked if this lost judicial review would weaken the SAR's authority on administration, Lee said the city had a well-established legal system, and authorities back then made the decision based on their interpretations of the law articles.
If the court interprets the articles differently, the DoJ will follow up on that.
On another note, Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan, Secretary for the Civil Service, said about 300 civil servants using the vaccine exemptions issued by the seven doctors can still go to work. She added that there will not be any special regulation if they are to submit a new one as well.
