Smart HKID card replacement suspended amid 4th COVID-19 wave

A sample Smart HKID card.

The Immigration Department (ImmD) on Tuesday said services at the Smart Identity Card Replacement Centres will be suspended starting Dec. 2 until further notice, amid the surge in COVID-19 cases across the city.

According to a notice on its website, those who have made appointments for replacement may go to the centres once services return.

A screenshot of the notice on the SmartID card website as of Dec. 1, 2020.

The notice also said members of the public may proceed to the centres to collect their new Smart HKIDs after services resume—if they cannot do so within the collection period on their Notice of Collection.

Enquiries may be coursed through 3521 6565 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays except for public holidays.

The ImmD, in a separate statement, also said its Foreign Domestic Helper Section will only accept urgent applications of extension of stay by drop-in. This includes those with booked appointments.

Applicants must provide a telephone number so the respective offices can reach them for additional procedures.

The department will take enquiries about visas through the hotline 3521 1840 during working hours.

Government agencies in Hong Kong will also adjust operations beginning Wednesday. Chief Executive Carrie Lam earlier said civil servants will be working from home, but emergency and essential public services will remain available.

Hong Kong is facing a new wave of COVID-19, with over 552 detected infections since mid-November linked to a dance club cluster. The city has recorded 6,397 COVID-19 cases to date.