In view of the latest development of the epidemic in Kwai Chung Estate, the Education Bureau (EDB) announced today (January 22) that starting from next Monday (January 24), all schools (including secondary schools, primary schools, kindergartens and kindergarten-cum-child care centres) should temporarily arrange for their staff residing in Kwai Chung Estate not to return to schools to work. Schools located at the specified restricted area under restriction-testing declaration in Kwai Chung Estate and its vicinity should also consider arranging for all staff to work from home and suspend all scheduled on-campus activities until schools' Chinese New Year holidays.
If individual schools encounter difficulties in implementing the above arrangements, they may advance the Chinese New Year holidays after obtaining approval from their Incorporated Management Committee/ School Management Committee. The objective is to avoid crowd gatherings on campus. If there are enquiries, please contact the Regional Education Offices or Joint Office for Kindergartens and Child Care Centres of the EDB.
In line with the above arrangements, staff of private schools offering non-formal curriculum (commonly known as "tutorial schools") should also not return to their schools to work before the specified "restricted area" restriction is lifted.
Schools should remind parents to follow anti-epidemic measures and pay close attention to the health conditions of their children. Students should avoid going to crowded places with poor ventilation. During the period of face-to-face class suspension, schools should continue to maintain communication with parents and students (for instance, schools can make phone calls to students as appropriate) to show care for the learning and emotional needs of the students, and render appropriate assistance to parents.
The EDB will closely monitor the situation and move in step with the development of the overall anti-epidemic measures in Hong Kong. The bureau will continue to review the schooling arrangements and make relevant announcement in a timely manner.
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