In this screengrab made from a video published by the government, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu speaks to the media ahead of the Executive Council meeting on Nov 1, 2022.

HONG KONG – The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is in full compliance with the principle of the rule of law in filling the legal gap relating to the COVID-19 vaccination medical exemption certificates, the city’s leader said on Tuesday.

John Lee Ka-chiu made the remark ahead of the Executive Council meeting while responding to a media query on the government’s follow-up action on a High Court judgment on the jab certificates.

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We have a duty to take care of public health speedily and efficiently. And that is the reason why we have been rolling out different measures.

John Lee, Chief Executive, HKSAR

The government acts in accordance with the law that is the priority principle that we have been adopting, he stressed.

The judgment by the High Court on the judicial review application on COVID-19 vaccination exemption certificates indicates that there is a gap which needs to be filled, said the CE. 

“And, therefore, according to the judgment, we took action to fill that gap to ensure that the action we take has a strong legal basis,” he said, underscoring that it is in full compliance with the principle of the rule of law.

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On the question of appealing the ruling, Lee said, “We have already issued a statement to indicate the government’s position. We have a duty to take care of public health speedily and efficiently. And that is the reason why we have been rolling out different measures (on COVID-19 prevention).”