Some 800,000 Hong Kong students — who had their “summer” break early this year — will resume classes in person starting from April 19, but they will need a negative COVID-19 rapid test result before entering campuses.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said at her daily press conference on Monday that, as announced earlier, pupils can return to school for lessons in phases after the Easter holiday.
“I have to admit there is a risk in resuming classes in phases after the Easter break. I won’t rule out a rebound in [COVID-19] case numbers,” said Lam.
“After weighing the pros and cons, [we] feel the risk can be managed and our decision is made in the best interest of students.”
Detailing the new plan, Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung said primary schools can resume classes starting from April 19.
Schools can decide on whether they want all students to return to campus on that day or whether to do so in phases, but they have to resume in-person classes for all pupils by May 3.
Schools also have to provide online classes for those who cannot return to campus from April 19.
As for secondary school students, they can resume in-person lessons from May 3.
Likewise, schools can decide whether or how to do so in phases, but all students have to be back on campuses by May 10.
Schools also have to provide online classes for those who are unable to have face-to-face classes from May 3.
In-person classes will resume for kindergarten pupils from May 3 in phases.
All kindergarten students are expected to be back in school by May 16.
Likewise, kindergartens have to provide online classes for those who are unable to have face-to-face classes from May 3.
Yeung said international and special schools will follow similar arrangements but can exercise some flexibility.
Tuition schools can also resume in-person classes for no longer than half a day starting April 19.
All teaching staff and students are required to undergo a rapid antigen test on each school day.
They can go back to campus only if they receive a negative result. If the result is positive, they have to report to their school and health authorities.
Officials also said the government will provide 10 million test kits to schools to be distributed to around 300,000 pupils in need.
The education minister said schools will not be asked to close if they have just a few cases and have taken precautionary measures.
But if 5 percent or more of the students and staff are infected with COVID-19, health authorities will do an investigation and assess if the school needs to close.
Authorities will also look into the school if 10 percent or more of a particular class or gathering test positive for the coronavirus, or if a student becomes severely ill or dies.
Officials also reiterated that all students can attend in-person classes, but only those who are vaccinated against COVID-19 can take part in non-academic activities — such as sports and music, which may require taking their masks off — to protect those who have not been jabbed yet.
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