The government announced on Tuesday that it will stop recognising the vaccination pass exemption certificates from seven private doctors who are accused of issuing the documents without holding medical consultations.

In a statement, authorities said more than 20,000 certificates issued by the seven will no longer be valid from October 12.

“According to our eHealth records, more than 20,000 certificates issued by the seven private doctors account for more than half of all the exemption certificates that are currently valid,” the statement said.

“The government has good reason to suspect that the doctors had not followed rules laid down by the Department of Health when issuing these certificates.”

Six of the doctors have been arrested while one is wanted by the police.

Patients who hold exemption certificates issued by the seven doctors are urged to consult other medical practitioners.