中 華 人 民 共 和 國 香 港 特 別 行 政 區 政 府 總 部 教 育 局 中 華 人 民 共 和 國 香 港 特 別 行 政 區 政 府 總 部 教 育 局 中 華 人 民 共 和 國 香 港 特 別 行 政 區 政 府 總 部 教 育 局 中 華 人 民 共 和 國 香 港 特 別 行 政 區 政 府 總 部 教 育 局
Education Bureau
Government Secretariat, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region The People's Republic of China
本局檔號 Our Ref.: EDB(SD_CT)ADM/20/05/1(1) 電話 Telephone:
23 June 2009
To: Supervisors/Principals of all Primary Schools and Special Schools
(including Private Independent Schools, ESF Schools and International Schools)
Dear Supervisor/Principal,
Arrangements for Primary Schools
Under the Latest Development of Human Swine Influenza (HSI)
The Education Bureau (EDB) announced on 11 June class suspension for 14 days in all kindergartens, kindergarten-cum-child care centres, primary schools (including private independent schools, international and ESF schools) and special schools (except those Schools for Social Development with secondary section only) from 12 June (Friday) to 25 June 2009 (Thursday). In view of the recent development of HSI in Hong Kong and the significant increase in confirmed local cases, it is evident that the virus turns active in the community. The assembly of a large number of young students in the school setting for extended periods of time would increase the risk of HSI outbreak and the chance of severe cases among young children. Having carefully assessed the situation with the Department of Health (DH), we decide that classes of the afore-mentioned schools will not be resumed for the current school year.
During class suspension period and summer holiday, schools should pay attention to the following special arrangements:
While primary schools would not resume classes in this school year, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of DH has issued the “Health Advice to Schools for
Conducting P5 Second-term Examination During Class Suspension Period”
(Annex 1). Schools can refer to the health advice and conduct the P5 second-term examination, as far as practicable, between end June and early July. If for special reasons individual schools cannot conduct the P5 second-term examination in that period, they can conduct the examination during the summer holiday or in early September. Schools should clearly notify parents of the arrangements of the P5 second-term examination in advance.
The allocation results for 2009 Secondary School Places Allocation (SSPA) will be released on 7 July and Secondary 1 (S1) registration will be held on 9 and 10 July as scheduled. On the day of releasing the SSPA allocation results, students are not required to collect their Allocation Slips and Admission Slips, nor to complete the registration procedures at their allocated secondary schools in person. Schools should inform parents/guardians in advance that they or their authorized persons could collect the Allocation Slips and Admission Slips as well as complete the S1 registration procedures on behalf of their children on the dates specified.
While schools may arrange a suitable number of school activities for their students during class suspension period and summer holiday, they are advised to control the number of participants to avoid aggregating a large number of students for a long period of time. For indoor activities, schools should reduce the number of students in each classroom so that adequate spacing is kept between each student.
Schools should refer to the “HSI Pandemic Mitigation Phase Guideline on School Functions and Extra-curricular Activities” issued by CHP (Annex 2) and take proper precautionary measures for conducting relevant activities to reduce transmission of HSI among students. Schools should also inform parents in advance of all the arrangements that would be made in this regard.
During class suspension period and summer holiday, schools should step up cleansing of the school premises and remind parents to maintain good household hygiene. Schools should keep the school premises open before the scheduled commencement date of summer holiday and arrange staff to be on duty to take care of those students who would have to come back to school for being unattended at home or for any other reasons.
To facilitate schools in issuing a letter informing parents of the above and making corresponding administrative arrangements, a sample letter to parents is at Annex 3.
Schools should continue to act in accordance with the guidelines set out in the letter of 11 June 2009 and paragraphs 3 and 4 of the “Handbook on Prevention of Human Swine Influenza in Schools” issued by EDB. Meanwhile, schools are advised to refer to the “Guidelines on the Prevention and Management of Human Swine Influenza in Schools” issued by the CHP (the guidelines have also been uploaded to the EDB website) to duly implement various hygienic and preventive measures.
We will release the latest information on HSI from time to time. Schools are advised to pay attention to the EDB website. For enquiries or support, please contact your respective Senior School Development Officer.
Yours sincerely,
(Y F LEE)
for Secretary for Education
Annex 1
Health Advice to Schools for Conducting P5 Second-term Examination During Class Suspension Period
The Centre for Health Protection provides the following advice to schools which conduct P5 second-term internal examinations during the class suspension period.
General Requirements
Schools should provide adequate hand hygiene facilities for staffs and students for hand hygiene purpose.
Liquid soap and disposable towels or hand dryers should be made available in toilets. Alcohol handrub (70-80% alcohol content) should also be made readily available at school entrance and other locations where handwashing facilities cannot be accessed at a convenient distance.
The school environment and school buses should be disinfected with 1 in 99 diluted household bleach (one part of 5.25% hypochlorite solution in 99 parts of water) and rinse with water at least daily or on need basis.
The use of drinking fountains should be suspended.
Students should be advised to check for fever at home and refrain from sitting from the examination if they suspect themselves suffering from influenza like illness.
Precautionary Measures for Students *
Students should use 70-80% alcohol-based handrub for hand hygiene after each examination session.
Students should not be engaged in gatherings or group activities within school premises.
Students should bring their own stationery for the examination.
Precautionary Measures for School Staff *
To disinfect the school environment with 1 in 99 diluted household bleach (one part of 5.25% hypochlorite solution in 99 parts of water) and rinse with water before re-opening of school for exam.
Staff should observe good personal hygiene especially cough etiquette and hand hygiene.
Venue for school examination
Examination should be taken in classrooms instead of school hall to avoid gathering a large number of students in the same confined area.
The tables and chairs should be arranged in single row and facing one direction.
Adequate spacing should be kept between each student during examination.
Good indoor ventilation should be maintained. Open windows wide and turn on exhaust fans. Alternatively, if the air conditioner is on, make sure that air conditioning system allows an adequate amount of fresh air. Air filters should be clean and well-maintained.
Alcohol handrub, disposable tissue paper, surgical masks and lidded rubbish bins should be made available in each classroom.
The classrooms should be thoroughly disinfected with 1 in 99 diluted household bleach (one part of 5.25% hypochlorite solution in 99 parts of water) and rinse with water after each session or on need basis.
Before school examination
Schools should arrange for equipments for temperature checks for students before admitting into examination venue if student cannot produce temperature record. Those with temperature > 38 degrees Celsius (by tympanic method) or equivalent should not be admitted.
Students should not be allowed to attend examination if they have fever, together with sore throat, cough or other respiratory symptoms. They should put on a mask and seek medical care immediately. Parents should be asked to pick them up.
No assembly should be arranged for students. Schools should arrange students to enter the examination room in small groups.
During the examination
If students feel sick during the exam, he/she should report to his/her teacher. The sick student should be advised to put on surgical mask (if not worn) and should be escorted away from the examination area to isolation room by teacher. Parents should be informed and immediate medical consultation should be advised.
After school examination
Students should leave school after the examination immediately and should not stay in school unless situation absolutely warrants.
Schools should arrange students to leave in small groups.
* Note on face mask use:
Use of face mask is an additional precautionary measure. Student or staff may choose to wear face mask unless there is contraindications e.g.
breathing difficulties. Proper usage of masks should be emphasized.
(http://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/recommendations_on_use_of_face_masks _en.pdf).
Further information on health advice related to HSI can be accessed through http://www.chp.gov.hk
Centre for Health Protection June 2009
Annex 2 HSI Pandemic Mitigation Phase
Guideline on School Functions and Extra-Curricular Activities
1 Background
Human Swine Influenza (HSI) is causing local transmission in Hong Kong and its activity may rise during summer. Although HSI causes a relatively mild illness in most persons, it is efficiently spread, given the lack of antibodies in the population, especially among children and adolescents.
This guidance note provides guidance for schools and children in organizing and participating in summer activities. While preventing individual infection with HSI is no longer an appropriate population health objective, it is important to reduce transmission and avoid large-scale outbreaks. Generally normal societal functions and activities can and should continue without disruption.
2 General principles to reduce risk of HSI transmission
Segregation of persons with influenza like illness (ILI) from public: persons with ILI should preferably rest at home till symptoms subside except for essential activities, e.g. to seek medical attention.
They should wear face masks and duly observe personal hygiene to protect themselves and others around them.
Heightened public awareness on personal hygiene: the most important elements are frequent and proper hand hygiene, cough etiquette and avoid touching of eyes, nose or mouth as well as the wearing of face masks when ill.
Enhanced protective measures for groups at risk of influenza related complications: this entails individual risk assessment based on personal medical conditions and nature of activities. In general, very young children and those with chronic medical conditions should avoid visiting crowded and poorly ventilated places.
Social distancing: this is achieved by modulating the nature of social activities and the number of participants involved.
3 General advice for schools and activity organizers
Pay attention to announcements from the government on the latest public health policy and advice on public functions.
Make alcohol handrub readily available at all times and ensure that hand soap is provided for in toilet facilities.
Ensure adequate ventilation and environmental hygiene.
Make arrangements to reduce overcrowding, taking into account the nature of the venue and activity. e.g. crowd control.
Facilitate the implementation of personal hygiene measures, including provision of face masks.
Plan for ways to assist people who have ILI.
Also refer to CHP ‘Guidelines for Prevention of Respiratory Infection for Organizers of Public Function’ accessible at http://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/Guidelines%20for%20Organizers_20 090522_e.pdf
4 General advice for activity participants
Those who are sick with ILI should refrain from attending gatherings.
At risk groups should avoid visiting overcrowded or poorly ventilated places.
Strict adherence to personal hygienic practice. Wash hands with soap and/or use alcohol handrub frequently.
Also refer to CHP ‘Guidelines on Prevention of Respiratory Infection for Participants of Public Function’ accessible at http://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/Guidelines_on_Prevention_of_Respir atory_Infections_en.pdf
5 Special advice for schools, including distribution of examination results, registration procedures, and summer tutorial classes
Preparation of facilities:
Ensure easily accessible hand hygiene facilities (e.g., soap and water, alcohol handrub).
Clean and disinfect areas and items that are more likely to have frequent hand contact regularly and also immediately when visibly soiled. For details on disinfection, please refer to CHP
‘Advice on School Disinfection at the Height of Influenza Season’ accessible at
http://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/Advice_on_School_Disinfection
Maintain room well-ventilated; if air-conditioned, ensure adequate fresh air exchange and cleaning of filters. Choose spacious settings in organizing gatherings to avoid overcrowding.
Use of face mask is optional as an added precaution especially for those who are ill. Proper usage of masks should be emphasized.
Students or staff members may choose to wear face mask unless there are contraindications e.g. breathing difficulties. Guidance on proper usage of face masks is accessible at http://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/recommendations_on_use_of_fa ce_masks_en.pdf.
Administrative control
Train staff regarding infection control measures, how to recognize ILI, and how to handle sick children/ students.
Ask participants to measure body temperature at home before attending school activities.
Avoid activities that involve overcrowding especially in indoor venues.
Notify guardians that their children should not attend school activities if they have symptoms of ILI or fever. Advise participants to stay home if sick and seek medical care.
Arrange for equipments to check body temperature of participants upon entry to school when there is a need.
For participants with underlying medical conditions, guardians should inform staff about the student’s medical needs, and seek medical advice on need of additional measures as appropriate.
Designate staff to care for ill persons and limit their interaction with other participants. The designated staff should put on face mask and pay special attention to personal hygiene when caring for ill persons. Persons with a medical condition that increases their risk of severe illness from influenza, including pregnant women, should NOT be designated as caregivers of ill persons.
Plan in advance with guardians regarding how illness among children attending the class will be handled.
For the taking of examinations, refer to the CHP ‘Health Advice to School for Conducting P5 Second–term Examinations during Class Suspension Period’ (Annex 1).
6 Special advice on extra-curricular activities, including graduation ceremonies, outings and camping
Follow the same advice on promotion of personal hygiene, preparation of facilities and administrative control as listed under
“Special consideration for schools”.
Participants with ILI should refrain from attending such activities.
In addition, organizers are advised to observe the following:
Outdoor/ semi-outdoor setting is preferred.
Control the number of participants to avoid overcrowding, especially for indoor activities. The appropriate number of participants varies according to the size, ventilation and hygienic condition of the venue. Having fewer participants per venue reduces the chance of HSI and other respiratory infections.
Organizers are advised to limit the group size as far as practicable.
Outdoor activities in well ventilated environment may allow for larger groups. Crowd control and avoidance of aggregation of people are important irrespective of group size.
Graduation ceremonies should be well planned to avoid overrunning of the programme. It is preferable to avoid performance involving close body contact. Proper ventilation should be ensured in the venue where the ceremony takes place.
Extra vigilance on personal hygiene for participants engaging activities with close body contact e.g. ball games.
Ensure adequate rest time and hydration for participants with intense physical activities to avoid exhaustion.
Avoid sharing of personal items among participants (e.g. towels, water bottles, etc.).
7 Special advice for summer study tours
Monitor HSI situation in the place of destination.
People with underlying chronic medical conditions should consult their doctors regarding their suitability for travel.
Arrange for medical care at the place of destination before travel, including purchasing travel/medical insurance as required.
For other pre-travel and post-travel advice, please refer to ‘Advice for Travellers Planning to Visit Human Swine Influenza Affected
http://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/Advice%20to%20travellers%20plann ing%20to%20affected%20areas_20090522_v.pdf and ‘Advice for Inbound Travellers/Returnees on Prevention of Human Swine Influenza’ accessible at
http://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/advice_for_Returnees_eng_20090515 _f.pdf
8 Special advice for activities involving young children under 6 years old
Young children have less capacity taking care of their own personal hygiene and they tend to have a greater intensity of direct physical contact with other children and persons.
It is advisable to adjust the size of group activities for young children such that adequate adult supervision can be given to individual child to ensure good hygiene at all times.
There should be adequate adult and preferably parent’s supervision to ensure personal hygiene of children.
Ball pools and other activities involving lots of simultaneous sharing of toys among many young children should be suspended.
Toys and other objects shared by young children should be cleansed and disinfected frequently, and immediately if soiled.
The venue should be thoroughly cleansed between each session of activities before another group of children comes in.
For details on recommendations on infection control for recommendations for Kindergartens /Kindergartens-cum-Child Care Centres / Child Care Centres, please refer to the CHP ‘Guidelines on Prevention of Communicable Diseases in Schools / Kindergartens /Kindergartens-cum-Child Care Centres / Child Care Centres’
accessible at
http://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/School_full_eng_20090115.pdf
9 Special advice for children with chronic medical conditions which may prone them to complications of influenza infection
Crowded and poorly ventilated environment should be avoided.
If it is unavoidable, face mask are recommended for older children and these should be worn properly.
Pay special attention to personal hygiene.
Seek medical advice early when there are symptoms suggestive of respiratory infection.
Seek medical advice on need for additional measures.
Centre for Health Protection June 2009
Annex 3
Sample Letter to All Parents on Arrangements for Primary Schools with
Latest Development of Human Swine Influenza (HSI)
(Schools may revise the content according to their specific situation)
<Date>
Dear Parents,
The Education Bureau (EDB) announced on 11 June territory-wide class suspension for 14 days among kindergartens, kindergarten-cum-child care centres, primary schools (including private independent schools, international and ESF schools) and special schools (except those Schools for Social Development with secondary section only) from 12 June (Friday) to 25 June 2009 (Thursday). In view of the recent development of HSI in Hong Kong and the significant increase in confirmed local cases, it is evident that the virus turns active in the community. The assembly of large number of young students in the school premises for a long time would increase the risk of HSI outbreak and the consequence when young children getting infected would be more severe. After prudent deliberation with the Department of Health (DH), the EDB has announced that classes will not be resumed within the current school year among the above-mentioned schools.
Although we will not resume classes, parents should pay attention to the following special arrangement:
Although primary schools would not resume classes in this school year, we will conduct the P5 second-term examination on xx xxxx during class suspension in accordance with the “Health Advice to Schools for Conducting P5 Second-term Examination During Class Suspension Period” issued by the CHP of DH. We will inform the parents concerned separately in writing of the related arrangements of the examination.
We will refer to the guidelines issued by EDB and DH for conducting school activities during class suspension and summer holiday. Details will be announced in due course.
Parents are advised to note that class suspension is a mitigation measure aiming at reducing social contact to minimize the chance of HSI infection. Therefore, students should stay at home during the class suspension period. Parents should avoid letting their children go to crowded places, children playgrounds etc, or visiting places being affected by HSI with their children.
Before the scheduled commencement date of the summer holiday, to meet practical needs, we will arrange for an appropriate number of staff to be on duty to handle school affairs/boarding services, answer parents’ enquiries, and clean and disinfect the school premises. If necessary, the school premises (including the boarding section) will remain open to take care of those students who would be unattended at home and have to come back to school/stay in the boarding section. If parents are unable to arrange their relatives or friends to take care of their children, please contact our teacher Mr/Ms XXX (Tel. No.) for the arrangement of sending their children back to school. As the school bus service and lunch provision have been suspended, parents will have to escort their children to and from school and make lunch arrangements for them.
To minimize the effect on student learning, we will continue to prepare learning materials and readers for students. Parents are requested to pay attention to the learning of their children.
If any of the following occurs, please inform our teacher Mr/Ms XXX (Tel. No.) immediately to facilitate our school to decide on the contingency measures and notify the DH and the EDB accordingly:
(i) your child is confirmed/suspected of having contracted HSI; and
(ii) any person in close contact* with your child is confirmed/suspected of having contracted HSI.
* “Close contact” means having cared for, having lived with, or having had direct contact with respiratory secretions and body fluids of a person with HSI.
To safeguard your children and family members from HSI infection, please take appropriate preventive measures at home according to the guidelines in the attached leaflet on “Human Swine Influenza” prepared by the DH.
We enclose herewith the telephone list of our school and relevant government departments for your reference. If you have any enquiries, please feel free to contact us.
Yours sincerely,
<Signature>
School
Principal/Supervisor,
<Name of school>
[This letter can be downloaded from the following path : http://www.edb.gov.hk->
School Administration>Administration>Prevention of Influenza (including Human Swine Influenza / Avian Flu) and Other Communication Diseases (including SARS) in Schools > Prevention of Human Swine Influenza – Useful materials]
