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All schools are reminded to maintain a hygienic and healthy learning environment as a precautionary measure against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) when classes resume in the new school year.

"To ensure that our students can learn pleasurably and grow healthily, we should never lower our guard against infectious diseases including SARS," a spokesman for the Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB) said today (August 26).

"All schools have been asked to continue to clean and disinfect the school premises and school facilities daily with a diluted household bleach solution and provide adequate facilities and cleaning materials for hand-washing. Good indoor ventilation should always be maintained."

"For parents, they should take the temperature of their children daily before sending them to school and the temperature record sheet should be shown to their school. More importantly, if a student has a fever or is not feeling well, he/she should seek medical advice and take a rest at home."

The spokesman stressed that personal hygiene was of primary importance in preventing infectious diseases.

"Students must wash hands before meals and after sneezing, coughing or cleaning the nose and should avoid sharing towels or utensils at meal times."

"School staff and students should wear facemasks when they have mild symptoms of respiratory tract infection so as to reduce the chance of spreading the disease," he said.

"School bus/nanny van drivers and their assistants are also reminded not to drive or get on the bus/nanny van if they have a fever. The schools and the parents concerned should be informed at once so that alternative arrangements can be made."

If unusual symptoms of infection are noticed or a large number of students are on sick leave, schools should notify the Regional Offices of the Department of Health as follows:

Hong Kong Regional Office (Tel: 2961 8729)

Kowloon Regional Office (Tel: 2199 9158)

New Territories East Regional Office (Tel: 2158 5107)

New Territories West Regional Office (Tel: 2615 8571)

Should there be any staff/students confirmed or suspected of having contracted SARS, or known to be under home confinement/observation, schools should follow the procedures set out in the Handbook on Atypical Pneumonia.

The Handbook and other information on preventing the spread of SARS in schools are available from the EMB website (http://www.emb.gov.hk/eng/archive.asp).

For further enquiries and assistance, schools may approach the School Development Officers of their respective districts.

End/Tuesday, August 26, 2003

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