Points to Note during the Study Tour

Escorts should pay attention to local weather forecasts and news broadcasts. If there is going to be any change in weather or other conditions, a contingency plan should be activated as soon as possible.

Escorts should be fully aware of the health condition of each participant in order to determine which participants are fit to take part in the activity of the day. Timely and appropriate arrangements should be made on a case-by-case basis. Escorts should also arrange for any sick member to see the doctor as soon as possible. On the advice of the doctor, effective health measures should be taken to enable the recovery of the patient and prevent the other tour members from getting sick. If necessary, escorts should inform the parents and the school of the students’ health condition as soon as possible.

Escorts should bring along the necessary safety equipment for the tour, for example, a first aid kit, communication equipment (mobile phones) and torches.

Students may be divided into small teams, with each team supervised by an escort.

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The safety of the participants is the prime concern of the tour.

Activities should preferably be conducted in one large group or in small teams so that no student would be working alone. Escorts should advise students to have a copy of their travel documents with them for identification purpose where necessary. Moreover, if students detect anything suspicious/unusual, they should report it to their escorts as soon as possible.

Participants should be fully briefed on the programme or schedule before commencement each day. Upon conclusion of activity that day, a debriefing session should be held to review participants’ performance, programme arrangements and relevant safety measures, and preparations should be made for the activity of the following day.

When travelling by any means of transport (including plane, vessel, train or motor vehicle), participants should stay alert, observe relevant safety regulations and look out for emergency escape routes or exits.

Escorts should be aware of the speed of the vehicle in which they are travelling to ensure that it is within safety limits. They should express to the driver or host personnel their safety concerns when necessary.

Moreover, escorts should ensure that the driver gets sufficient rest or works according to duty roster to avoid prolonged driving without breaks. It is not advisable to press ahead with the journey when the weather is bad or when the schedule is tight.

After checking into a local hotel, students should immediately look out for the fire escape route. They should also acquaint themselves with the exit direction, escape route and assembly point in case of emergency.

Escorts should carry with them such information as the name list and hotel room numbers of their group members to facilitate assembly and a roll call. Participants should also be advised of the room numbers and telephone numbers of their escorts to facilitate communication.

Escorts should always remind participants to take proper care of their travel documents and personal belongings.

Participants should put the room key, a torch and any important articles in a handy place before going to bed, so that these can be snatched quickly even in the dark.

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Participants should pay attention to food hygiene and avoid consuming uncooked food and unboiled water. They should also avoid patronising unhygienic stalls or restaurants.

Participants should wash their own clothing regularly and maintain good personal hygiene. They should avoid staying long in crowded or heavily polluted places. If necessary, they should wear a mask to reduce the risk of being infected by bacteria or viruses.

Each participant should wear a watch and take note of the time of assembly and return for all activities. They should arrive at the designated assembly point punctually as instructed.

Participants should bring along clothing with long sleeves and long legs, mosquito repellent oil/cream, sunblock, etc. to prevent mosquito or insect bites and sunburn.

If a student needs to leave the party temporarily, he/she should seek prior approval from the school through his/her parents. While away from the party, the student should be accompanied by a designated adult.

The student should also inform the escorts and other members of the tour the place he/she is visiting, the expected time of return and the way of contact before return.

Participants should make sure that they have sufficient time for rest and recovery and they are fit enough for the entire journey.

Escorts should report regularly to the responsible person of the school staying in Hong Kong the condition of all tour members and the progress of the activities under the established reporting mechanism, so that the school is updated constantly and able to respond to parents’ enquiries with the latest information.

Under all circumstances, participants’ absolute safety should be accorded the highest priority and in no way should this be compromised.

If there are extraordinary situations that warrant the involvement of local authorities such as the police, escorts should act accordingly without delay.

If assistance is needed during the tour, escorts should consider calling the 24-hour hotline (No.: +852 1868) operated by the Assistance to

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Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department (http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/outsidehk/assisthk24.htm ).

In the event of accident (e.g. traffic accident or fire), other emergencies (e.g. robbery or assault), injury or loss of life in the Mainland, the incident should be reported to the local public security authorities for action: dial 110 for police assistance; dial 120⁴ for ambulance service;

dial 119 for fire service; and dial 122 for reporting a traffic accident.

Hong Kong residents in need of help when abroad may contact the local Chinese diplomatic and consular missions for assistance and services.

Hence, escorts should keep at hand the information of relevant Chinese

diplomatic and consular mission(s).

(https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/Assistance_Outside_Hong_K ong.html#c)