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Although Hong Kong officials have only detected 50 cases of COVID-19 over the past 22 days, there are enough signs of community transmission that officials have ordered extraordinary steps to try to curb further spread of the virus (see Feb 10th HK Officials Urge Social Distancing - Next Two Weeks `Critical Time').
Hong Kong's schools, which have been closed since before the Lunar New New Year, were originally ordered shuttered first until Feb 17th, and then that date was extended to March 2nd. Overnight the decision has been made to suspend classes through March 16th.As with the last two `resume dates', this decision will be reviewed and - if necessary, extended - in the weeks ahead.
While considered economically disruptive - particularly for working parents - we've seen Hong Kong close schools (usually for a week or two) during particularly bad influenza seasons (see Hong Kong Closes Schools, Calls For Stringent NPIs To Combat Flu) before.
But closing schools for nearly two months in anticipation of an outbreak illustrates just how concerned local officials are over seeing a major epidemic in the weeks ahead.This announcement from the HK government news site.
School extension until March 16
February 13, 2020
The Education Bureau chief, Yang Runxiong, announced that schools throughout Hong Kong will continue to suspend classes in response to the epidemic, and will resume classes no later than March 16. Under the latest arrangement, the third sub-trial of the Xiao Liu was canceled. The Administration will also decide the date of opening the secondary diploma examination at the end of this month.
Yang Runxiong met with the media today to explain the latest arrangements for suspension of classes. He said that the authorities would decide the date of resumption of classes, based on medical advice, school preparations and the supply of anti-epidemic materials, and stressed that public health and teachers' and students' health would be the basis for the resumption of classes, and that the authorities would work out a schedule for the resumption of classes as soon as possible.
He said that Hong Kong students in the mainland and other places need not rush to return to Hong Kong, but they should strictly abide by the local anti-epidemic measures.
Students in Hong Kong should try their best to avoid leaving Hong Kong, reduce the risk of infection, stay at home as far as possible, and avoid being crowded with people and suspending collective activities.
He said that the suspension was not an extra holiday, and that schools would use e-learning and other models to keep students learning; In addition to providing on line resources for non-stop learning, the Education Department also provides support to teachers in need through telephone hotlines, mobile communication programs and on line seminars.
In kindergarten, the Education Bureau understands that the industry or facing greater financial difficulties will launch support measures as soon as possible. The Bureau will base the number of students at each kindergarten in January this year under the kindergarten program on the monthly funding for the kindergarten's suspension period and ensure that the government funding received by the kindergarten is not reduced by the withdrawal of individual students.
In addition, individual kindergartens, including private ones, may need to adjust tuition fees or provide tuition relief during the suspension period, and the Education Bureau will process the application as soon as possible in order to accommodate the needs of schools and parents. The Bureau will also provide a one-time special allowance for all kindergartens to assist them in improving school cleaning.
In response to the latest suspension arrangements, the primary school does not have to hold the third primary submission test. The grades of the Grade VI students will be decided on the basis of their grades in the Grade VI school and the Grade VI school.
In addition, schools should consider whether to maintain existing arrangements, such as interviews, and notify parents as soon as possible, in the light of the actual operation of the selection process for the degree-sharing stage of the Central University.
As for the secondary school diploma examination, the Administration will decide at the end of this month to start the examination on March 27 as scheduled, or to take a second program, and the examination will start on April 24.
