Hong Kong’s renowned Lan Kwai Fong party zone is opening again in what is a welcome relief for business owners and residents in the area.

As the city-state’s vaccination program ramps up, those individuals who have had at least one shot are able to head back to bars and clubs.

Bar staff will also need to be vaccinated to be eligible to work.

It comes as Hong Kong authorities urge residents to roll up their sleeves and get a jab – with only 12 percent of individuals being vaccinated so far.

Professor Lau Chak Sing from the University of Hong Kong says the reopening of bars is “an incentive for people to receive the vaccination and prevent the spread of the infection”.

“In an ideal situation, one should complete the course of vaccination to ensure protection.”