The Government announced on 8 March 2021 that the scope of the priority groups under the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme will be expanded to cover staff in the tourism industry, namely holders of valid Tour Escort Passes or Tourist Guide Passes issued by the TIC, and staff of travel agents.

For details, holders of valid Tour Escort Passes or Tourist Guide Passes need to visit the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme website, on which the online system can be used to make reservations for receiving vaccinations at the Community Vaccination Centres or designated general outpatient clinics of the Hospital Authority. Apart from that, members can also contact the private clinics participating in the Vaccination Programme direct to make appointments.

Since proof of identity is required when receiving vaccinations, Tour Escort Pass or Tourist Guide Pass holders need to pay attention to the following points:

Tour Escort Pass holders:

• If the expiry dates as shown on the Tour Escort Passes are still valid on the appointment dates, then only the Tour Escort Passes need to be produced when receiving vaccinations.
• If the Tour Escort Passes have expired for less than two years so that the Certificate Examination is exempted for Pass renewal, then holders of such Passes need to first apply to the TIC for renewal of their Passes and submit the completed “Proof of Identity of Recipient” (Word format / PDF format) to the TIC for verification, after which they need to produce the stamped “Proof of Identity of Recipient” (either the original or its electronic file)when receiving vaccinations.
• If holders of Tour Escort Passes have applied for Pass renewal but have not been issued with new Passes yet, then they need to submit the completed “Proof of Identity of Recipient” to the TIC for verification, after which they need to produce the stamped “Proof of Identity of Recipient” (either the original or its electronic file) when receiving vaccinations.

Tourist Guide Pass holders:

• If the expiry dates as shown on the Tourist Guide Passes are still valid on the appointment dates, then only the Tourist Guide Passes need to be produced when receiving vaccinations
• If the expiry dates of Tourist Guide Passes are between 1 January 2020 and 31 May 2021 and the validity of such Passes is discretionarily extended until 30 June 2021, then holders of such Passes are required to submit the completed Proof of Identity of Recipient (Word format / PDF format) to the TIC for verification, after which they need to produce the stamped “Proof of Identity of Recipient” (either the original or its electronic file)when receiving vaccinations.

Those who need the TIC to verify their identity may:

• submit a completed “Proof of Identity of Recipient” to the TIC’s Executive Office, and then collect the original of the stamped “Proof of Identity of Recipient”; OR
• send an email to [email protected], in which the name, the identity document number and the Tour Escort Pass/Tourist Guide Pass number must be clearly stated, and then receive an electronic file of the stamped “Proof of Identity of Recipient” by email.