All Schools To Remain Shut Till Mid-August

The Secretary for Education, Kevin Yeung, said all schools in Hong Kong will remain shut till mid-August due to the surge in Covid cases.

Speaking at a press conference, Yeung said some schools are scheduled to start before mid-August, but said it would be impossible for international schools and kindergartens to start the new school year before August 17.

But with the Covid-19 pandemic showing no sign of abating, the education minister said it is highly unlikely that they will be allowed to reopen any time soon.

“We anticipate at this stage that classes of all schools, including international schools and kindergartens, which used to start their new school year early, would not commence earlier than August 17," he said.

"The final commencement date will be dependent on the development of the epidemic. We will notify the schools as soon as a final decision is made and will allow at least two weeks for their preparation,” Yeung said.

The education chief added that it is also highly unlikely for form three or younger cross-boundary students to come to Hong Kong to attend classes even if the schools reopen in September, saying it would be difficult to make the necessary transport and health-related arrangements.

However, he dismissed reporters’ concerns that allowing senior secondary cross-boundary students to come to Hong Kong would pose health risks, saying they’ll be tested regularly.

“All cross-boundary students, before they come to Hong Kong, they have to go through a test every seven days. So in theory, they are clean,” he said.