SED on DSE and anti-epidemic measures

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, at a media session after attending a radio programme today (February 29):

Reporter: Some of the private education institutes for example tutorial centres, they said that they are facing closure because of the virus outbreak, so they are asking for more support but none was given. So is there more the Government can do to help them? Second question, regarding some of the DSE (Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination) students still stranded in Hubei, can the Government make sure that they are the first batch of people coming back, so that they can come back and take the examination, etc?

Secretary for Education: We all know that because of the disease, I think every sector of the community has been affected to a different degree. At the latest Budget, which was announced by the Financial Secretary a few days ago, there have already been a number of measures helping the whole community and the business sector. I think all sectors in the community will benefit one way or the other from these. But of course, I understand that many of the businesses are still suffering from the disease because even the Government has put a lot of money in relieving the pressure. I think there are unavoidably some impacts by the downturn of the economy. So at this time we have to try our best to work together as a community to tackle all these issues. When necessary, I think the Government is prepared to consider more relief measures depending on the necessity of the whole society.

     On your second question about the Hong Kong people now in Wuhan, as you know we are arranging a chartered flight going to Wuhan next week. We would like to bring as many as Hong Kong people back to Hong Kong as soon as possible. Of course, the priority will depend on the needs and also the special circumstances of each individual. Of course, the DSE candidates will be among the top priority but whether they could come back on the first flight or not, it all depends on the actual situation of the flight.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)