Government eyes extensive voucher coverage

The e-consumption vouchers, however, will not be useable for paying government fees.

The reach of new e-consumption vouchers will be as “extensive as possible,” the government has said, while noting that their coverage will not include payments for the government and public organisations.

The vouchers may be used for consumption at physical and online stores of local merchants in the retail, food and beverage, and services sectors.

The vouchers, however, will not be usable for public utilities, public transport under the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme, purchases of financial products, overseas consumption, person-to-person payments, and encashment, amongst others.

“We are discussing with operators of the four Stored Value Facilities (SVF) selected to participate in the Scheme on practical means to prevent the use of consumption vouchers on payments other than local consumption,” Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui said.

Read also: Find out which apps to use for Hong Kong's e-voucher scheme

Hui said the government is currently working on the details of the scheme’s implementation, including the disbursement arrangement.

“We will carefully consider the different views previously expressed by the public with regard to the number of instalments, the restrictions on usage and scope of use,” Hui also said.

The e-vouchers, worth $5,000, will be disbursed to eligible Hong Kong permanent residents and new arrival, aged 18 or above. The vouchers are intended to boost and stimulate local consumption amidst the pandemic.

It forms part of Finance Secretary Paul Chan's budget statement last February.