COVID-19 Corner

Updated Anti-pandemic Measures

Having assessed the latest epidemic development, the Government had made an announcement on lifting all mandatory mask-wearing requirements starting from 1 March 2023.  With immediate effect, students are no longer required to wear masks either indoor or outdoor in the VTC premises, except in Student Hall of SHINE(Tuen Mun). 
 
As mask-wearing is still an effective way to reduce the risk of virus transmission, students are advised to wear mask for health reasons (e.g. having respiratory/COVID-19 symptoms, experiencing weakened immunity or staying in a congested/poor ventilated place) or if they deem appropriate/necessary.
 
1 March 2023

 

Lifting the Vaccine Pass Requirement

In view of the relaxation of anti-epidemic measures as announced by the Government, the vaccine pass requirement for students’ entry to SHAPE will be removed with effect from 30 December 2022.

Similarly, the vaccine pass requirement for users of campus catering premises, and sports premises including fitness rooms and swimming pools is removed at the same time.

Students are still required to wear masks in campuses, and the temperature checking and monitoring will be maintained at entrance of campuses.

30 December 2022

 

Updated Arrangement on “Vaccine Pass”

Following the recent announcement by the government, with effective from 14 December 2022, to gain access to VTC campuses and to use the campus facilities, all full-time and part-time students of SHAPE must continue to present the vaccination records of at least three doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

The arrangement for recovered students and students who are medically unfit for vaccination remains the same.  Please refer to the FAQs for details.

Any person with a red code of “Vaccine Pass” will not be allowed entry to campuses.  The campus entry arrangement for different colour codes of “Vaccine Pass” can be checked here .

Use of “Vaccination Record System for Students” for Campus Entry

The “Vaccination Record System for Students” (VRSS) has been implemented to facilitate students under the “Vaccine Pass” arrangement to gain access to campuses.  Please be reminded to upload new vaccination records or required documents timely to facilitate access to campuses.  The user guide for VRSS can be accessed here.

The health and safety of our students and staff are always of utmost importance to VTC and SHAPE.  We will continue to closely monitor the epidemic development as well as the Government’s latest measures and inform students of the updated arrangements in due course.  

Please keep checking your email and student portal “MySHAPE” for the latest updates.  We again strongly urge all eligible students to receive the required dose of vaccine timely for enhanced protection.

For further information, please refer to the followings:

15 December 2022

 

Use of Learning Resources Centres and Sports Facilities

With due consideration of the current pandemic situation, effective from 1 November 2022, Learning Resources Centres and sports facilities in VTC campuses can be accessed/used by students from all campuses. 

 Nevertheless, the prevailing pandemic measures, including the vaccination requirement on access to campuses, or access to campus catering premises, and sports premises including fitness rooms and swimming pools, are still in force. 

SHAPE will continue to closely monitor the pandemic situation as well as Government’s latest anti-pandemic measures and inform students of the updated arrangement. 

For enquiries, please contact SHAPE offices. 
 

27 October 2022

 

Updated Requirement on “Vaccine Pass”

Following the recent announcement by the government on the vaccination requirement, with effect from 30 September 2022 (Friday), to gain access to VTC campuses, all full-time and part-time students SHAPE must scan the “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile application and present the vaccination records of

For the period between 30 September to 29 November 2022

  • at least three doses of COVID-19 vaccine; or
  • at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, if within 5 months from the second dose

From 30 November 2022 onwards

  • at least three doses of COVID-19 vaccine

The arrangement for recovered students and students who are medically unfit for vaccination remains the same.  Students can refer to the FAQs for details.

Use of “Vaccination Record System for Students” for Campus Entry
The “Vaccination Record System for Students” (VRSS) has been implemented to facilitate students under the “Vaccine Pass” arrangement to gain access to campuses.  Students are reminded to upload new vaccination records or required documents accordingly to facilitate access to campuses.

Use of Campus Facilities and the related Red and Amber Code Arrangement
Please refer to the notes on the use of campus facilities and the related Red and Amber Code Arrangement for reference.

The health and safety of our students and staff are always of utmost importance to the VTC and SHAPE.  We will continue to closely monitor the epidemic development as well as the Government’s latest measures and inform students of the updated arrangements in due course.  

Please keep checking your email and “MySHAPE” for the latest updates.  We again strongly urge all eligible students to receive the required dose of vaccine timely for enhanced protection.

For further information, please refer to the followings:

30 September 2022

 

Colour Codes of Vaccine Pass for Campus Entry for Students



The Government has recently added red and amber codes into the Vaccine Pass to differentiate persons with higher risk of infection. For related campus entry arrangement for students, please take note of the bilingual notes (including information on reversion of red code to blue code for recovered students).

For enquiries, please contact SHAPE offices. 
 

13 September 2022

 

“Vaccination Record System for Students” (VRSS) for Campus Entry


The VTC has developed a “Vaccination Record System for Students” (VRSS) (https://vrss.vtc.edu.hk) to facilitate students under the “Vaccine Pass” arrangement, i.e. all full-time and part-time students of SHAPE to gain access to campuses. 

Students covered by “Vaccine Pass” are required to upload their vaccination records and/or required documents, e.g. infection proof, to the VRSS (https://vrss.vtc.edu.hk).  Access right to VTC’s campuses will be synchronized to student smartcards after verification, and students can then use smartcards to meet the “Vaccine Pass” requirement for campus entry.

The VTC and SHAPE will continue to closely monitor the epidemic development as well as the Government’s latest measures and inform students of the updated arrangements in due course.  

Please keep checking your email and “MySHAPE” for the latest updates.  We again strongly urge all eligible students to receive the required dose of vaccine timely for enhanced protection.

For further information, please refer to the followings:

9 Sep 2022

 

Third Phase of "Vaccine Pass” Requirement


Vocational Training Council (VTC) earlier announced the implementation of second phase of “Vaccine Pass” for students effective from 30 April 2022.  Latest update and implementation of the third phase of “Vaccine Pass” for students are set out below: 

Effective from 31 May 2022 (Tuesday), to gain access to VTC campuses, all full-time and part-time students of THEi, SHAPE, IVE, HKDI, HTI, CCI, ICI, MSTI and SBI must scan the “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile app and present the vaccination records of
 
•    at least three doses of COVID-19 vaccine; or
•    at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, if within 6 months from the second dose.  

Recovered students please refer to the FAQs for details of the relevant vaccination requirements and using recovery record QR code for campus entry.  Students who are medically unfit for COVID-19 vaccination as supported by a valid medical exemption certificate can be exempted from the vaccination requirement.  

The VTC and SHAPE will continue to closely monitor the epidemic development as well as the Government’s latest measures and inform students of the updated arrangements in due course.  Please keep checking your email and student portal “MySHAPE” for the latest updates.  We again strongly urge all eligible students to receive the required dose of vaccine timely for enhanced protection.

For further information, please refer to the followings:

3 May 2022

 

 

Additional COVID-19 Test Option for "Exempted" Students and Second Phase of “Vaccine Pass” Requirement
 

1. Additional COVID-19 Test Option for "Exempted" Students

Pursuant to the notice issued previously on "Vaccine Pass", students who are medically unfit for COVID-19 vaccination as supported by a valid medical exemption certificate can be exempted from the vaccination requirement (i.e. exempted students).  But they are required to scan “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile app and present a negative CNTS PCR test result before they can be granted access to campuses/institutes from 25 March 2022.  This measure remains effective. 

With immediate effect until further notice, “exempted” students can also show negative result of rapid antigen tests (RAT) in addition to CNTS PCR tests to gain access to campuses.  Students can refer to the updated FAQs for the detailed arrangements. 

For "exempted" full-time students who choose to present RAT result for access to campuses, a free RAT kit can be provided in return from campus for the day when they need to attend face-to-face/practical/laboratory classes in that campus.  Students can refer to the updated FAQs or contact SHAPE offices for more details. [For Full-time SHAPE students only]
 

2. Second Phase of "Vaccine Pass” Requirement

With effect from 30 April 2022 (Saturday), all full-time and part-time students of SHAPE must scan the “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile app and present the vaccination records of at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccine (except for “exempted” students) to gain access to VTC campuses.  

The VTC and  SHAPE have been closely monitoring the evolving situation and will introduce additional measures, including stepping up the vaccination requirement in future.  Please check your email and visit student portal “MySHAPE” for the latest updates.  We again strongly urge all eligible students to take the third dose of COVID-19 vaccine as early as possible to afford themselves and their family members enhanced protection. 

For further information, please refer to the followings:

28 March 2022

 

Vaccine Pass


Vocational Training Council (VTC) has earlier announced the implementation of “Vaccine Pass” for staff and visitors starting from 24 February 2022.  To further protect the health and safety of students and campus users under this trying circumstance, the “Vaccine Pass” arrangements will be extended to students.    

With effect from 25 March 2022, all full-time and part-time students of THEi, SHAPE, IVE, HKDI, HTI, CCI, ICI, MSTI and SBI must scan the “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile app and present the vaccination record of at least the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine to gain access to VTC campuses.   

Students who are medically unfit for COVID-19 vaccination as supported by a valid medical exemption certificate can be exempted from the vaccination requirement.  They are then required to scan “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile app and present a CNTS PCR negative test result (note) issued within three days counting from the date of receiving the test result before they can be granted access to campuses. 

VTC and SHAPE will continue to pay close attention to the situation and may step up the vaccination requirement in future.  Please check your email and visit the student portal “MySHAPE” for the latest updates.  We strongly urge all eligible students to take the second and third doses of COVID-19 vaccine as early as possible for enhanced protection.  

For further information, please refer to the followings:

•    Government COVID -19 Vaccination Programme
      - Website: https://www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/en/
      - Hotline: 3142 2366 
•    “LeaveHomeSafe”
      - https://www.leavehomesafe.gov.hk/en/ 

The FAQs on “Vaccine Pass” is also available (click here) for your reference.   
 

Note:
The specimens must be obtained from combined nasal and throat swabs, and not collected through self-testing kits.  Results from deep throat saliva tests or rapid antigen tests are not accepted. 

22 February 2022

 

 

Class Arrangements during Compulsory Quarantine / Testing Period


SHAPE has been closely monitoring the public health situation in Hong Kong.  Considering the potential surge of COVID-19 cases, and your learning, health and safety being our top priority, students of the following categories shall not attend face-to-face classes on-campus during the whole compulsory quarantine / testing period:

  1. Confirmed case or a preliminary tested positive case of COVID-19;
  2. Subject to the compulsory quarantine per instruction and advice from the Centre for Health Protection (CHP);
  3. Person subject to compulsory testing under Cap. 599J.

Students being one of the above categories should inform relevant SHAPE office or Programme Coordinator of relevant programme immediately.  Advice from the CHP on necessary arrangements would also be sought.  Where practicable, alternative learning and assessment arrangements would be provided during the compulsory quarantine / testing period. Upon completion of the compulsory quarantine / testings*, students should inform relevant SHAPE office or Programme Coordinator of relevant programme to resume face-to-face classes on campus.  Thank you for your cooperation. 

*Recognized COVID-19 tests (https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html)

13 January 2022