The government has announced that from Saturday, all incoming travellers – regardless of where they are from – will be required to at least be double-jabbed to be issued a temporary vaccine pass that is needed to enter most public premises.

In a statement, authorities said the requirement applies to those aged 12 or above.

People who're deemed unsuitable for vaccination, meanwhile, will also be issued the pass if they are able to present a medical exemption certificate.

“The temporary vaccine pass arrangement applies to all arrivals, including Hong Kong residents and non-Hong Kong residents, as well as travellers from the mainland, Macau, Taiwan and overseas areas,” a government spokesperson said.

The government earlier came under criticism for giving people from the mainland, Macau and Taiwan temporary vaccine passes even if they haven't been jabbed.

Chief Executive John Lee had on Tuesday explained that mainlanders weren't required to be vaccinated to come to Hong Kong because the infection risk on the mainland is the lowest in the world.

But critics said the same vaccination requirements should apply to all arrivals because granting exemptions could give people the wrong impression and raise questions about differential treatment.