From November 1, secondary schools that wish to continue holding whole-day face-to-face classes must ensure that at least 90% of their students have received three doses of a Covid-19 vaccine. All schoolchildren and teaching stuff must also take rapid antigen tests (RATs) for two days before the start of the 2022-2023 academic year.
These new measures were outlined in a letter from the Education Bureau ahead of schools reopening on September 1. It also stated that secondary schools or individual classes that fail to achieve a 90% three-dose vaccination rate may only hold half-day face-to-face classes from November 1. Currently, schools can hold whole-day in-person classes if 90% of their students are double-vaccinated.
This condition does not apply to primary schools, kindergartens and tutorial schools, which will continue with half-day classes. International schools will be given flexibility, depending on each school’s situation and the needs of its students.
Schools must also check the heath code status of students and teaching staff before they can enter campuses. Those who hold red codes are not allowed to enter the premises, while those with amber codes can attend school for classes or work if they have negative RAT results. Currently, all teaching staff and students must conduct daily RATs and may only enter school campuses if their results are negative.
In addition, students who wish to participate in after-school extra-curricular activities or mask-off activities must receive three doses of a Covid-19 vaccine by October 1. Since schools reopened in April 2022, only students who are double-vaccinated can take part in these activities.
Header image credits: Prostock-studio via Canva
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