The measure applies to civil servants, non-civil service contract staff, and post-retirement service contract staff, according to a government statement on Friday.

"In view of the rapid spread of the mutant strains, parents should arrange for Covid-19 vaccination of their young children as early as possible.

“As the largest employer in Hong Kong, the government has a duty to take the lead and introduce a family-friendly measure to encourage and facilitate government employees who are parents or guardians of young children to act fast and arrange for their children to get vaccinated for early protection,” a spokesman said.

The spokesman also appealed to other companies and employers to provide convenience for workers as far as possible and encourage parents to arrange for Covid-19 vaccination of their young children to further strengthen the overall protective barrier in the community.

“For government employees who have taken their own vacation leave to bring children aged below three to get vaccinated as a parent or guardian before August 22, they may also be retrospectively granted a half-day authorized absence by application,” the spokesman added.

The government will review the arrangement in due course.