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The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, announced last night (March 12) that all primary schools, kindergartens and nursery schools would start their Easter break from today for two weeks as a precautionary measure against the spread of influenza in schools.
Speaking at a stand-up media session, Dr Chow noted that the influenza peak season would be expected to last for a few more weeks and the early break would help to reduce the chance of young school children contracting the virus.
The decision was reached at a meeting in the evening attended by representative from the Education Bureau, experts from the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority as well as Professor Yuen Kwok-yung, having reviewed the latest situation on the flu situation which indicated that the number of reported cases was on the rise.
Dr Chow noted that the recent spate of influenza cases had caused anxiety and pressure on both parents and school management on whether to allow children to attend schools, especially where there was an outbreak of the virus.
He said, "We understand their concern and anxiety. There are calls from members of the public hoping the Government would make a firm decision to relieve their anxiety.
"As the Easter holiday is only a week away, we decide to ask all the primary schools, kindergartens and nursery schools to take an early break for two weeks.
"This is both a precautionary as well as an administrative decision. During the break, schools will be thoroughly cleansed and the two-week period is two times of the incubation period for the virus.
"We hope the break would minimise the chance of infection for these young children so that they can have a clean and healthy environment when they return after the holidays."
Ends/Thursday, March 13, 2008
Issued at HKT 01:04
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