Channel NewsAsia 27 Mar 08;
HONG KONG: Primary schools in Hong Kong are set to re-open next Monday after a temporary closure because of a flu crisis.
Many children became ill and three of them died earlier this month, sparking fears of a virulent flu outbreak in the territory. It prompted the government to close primary schools early for the Easter break on 13 March.
Since then, the Centre of Health Protection has not recorded a significant upward trend in infections and concluded that the flu strain has not mutated. However, health authorities warned that the peak flu season is not over yet.
The education ministry will be issuing new guidelines to all schools to maintain hygiene standards and closely monitor sick leave records.
Children who are not well have been told to stay at home and to return to schools only after they have recovered.
The education minister did not rule out further closures and defended the earlier closure of schools to safeguard public interest.
Michael Suen, Hong Kong Education Secretary, said: "Depending on the severity of the situation, we are making a very prudent move to ensure that school children are protected. I don't think this would be a very frequent occurrence, it will happen very rarely and it is incumbent on us to take effective precautionary measure."- CNA/so
