Overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong, who can choose their COVID vaccines, have the chance to get cash and other incentives once they get inoculated, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Hong Kong reported on Friday.
In a virtual briefing, Labor Attaché Melchor Dizon also said the HK government was set to lift its travel ban on the Philippines Monday that would allow more than 3,000 stranded OFWs to fly to the former British colony.
“We encourage our fellow Filipinos here in Hong Kong and those stranded in the Philippines to have themselves vaccinated against COVID-19. Otherwise, you will not be allowed entry into Hong Kong.
This is also for your protection,” Dizon said.
He noted that of about 220,000 OFWs in HK, only less than 50 percent had availed the vaccine of their choice even as the government has drawn incentive package for those who got inoculated.
Dizon said in a press statement the POLO dvalidated 1,000 vaccination cards of returning OFWs who have been fully inoculated in Hong Kong since last month.
Under Department Order 226, series of 2021, POLOs are required to validate the authenticity of a COVID-19 vaccination card or document of an OFW from the host country.
Dizon said the number of OFWs who would be allowed to travel to Hong Kong could exceed those stranded during the travel ban as the POLO continued to process job orders to the region.
He added authorities required a 14-day quarantine even for fully vaccinated workers upon arrival in the territory.