US(Ed) inspects operation of cross-boundary school coaches and class resumption of cross-boundary students (with photos/video)
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Starting today, CBS of primary schools, kindergartens and special schools have resumed travelling between the Mainland and Hong Kong to attend face-to-face classes, while those of secondary schools have earlier resumed schooling in Hong Kong.
At the Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Control Point, Mr Sze received a briefing from staff of the Immigration Department about the on-board clearance service for cross-boundary school coaches and inspected the arrangements. He was pleased with the smooth clearance arrangements for CBS as well as the clearance facilitation measures.
He said that cross-boundary school coach services at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port, Heung Yuen Wai Control Point, Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Control Point, Shenzhen Bay Control Point and Man Kam To Control Point have fully resumed, providing safe and convenient transportation for the commute of CBS for school in Hong Kong. He thanked the relevant departments for their proactive assistance and the school bus operators for their full co-operation, working together with the Education Bureau (EDB) to ensure all cross-boundary school coach routes are well in place.
Mr Sze then visited Fanling Government Primary School to join a welcome ceremony for CBS. He also learned about the school's preparation and support for the class resumption of CBS, as well as the arrangements for full resumption of face-to-face classes.
He said, "The resumption of classes in Hong Kong for CBS is the result of the joint efforts of the Government and the education sector in the fight against the epidemic in the past three years. It also marks an important milestone for schools in Hong Kong to return to full normalcy. To help students adapt to whole-day face-to-face classes and gradually adjust to their normal learning and social life, the EDB has launched the designated webpage 'Resuming Vibrant Life @School', providing suggestions to help CBS adapt to resumption of classes for reference of schools and parents."
During the school visit, Mr Sze chatted with the Headmistress, Ms Ho Mei-lin, and CBS parents. As a token of welcome for the return of CBS to campus, he also took part in placing a piece to a big jigsaw puzzle to convey care and blessings to them.
All secondary schools, primary schools and kindergartens have fully resumed whole-day face-to-face classes. The EDB has announced that the requirement for secondary school students to undergo COVID-19 rapid antigen tests (RATs) each day before going to school will be lifted from March 1, while the RAT requirement for primary, kindergarten and special school (including boarding section) students will continue until March 15. For the arrangements thereafter, the EDB will review the situation and make timely announcements.
To safeguard the health of teachers and students, schools should continue to strictly put in place the various anti-epidemic measures stated in the "Health Protection Measures for Schools" and the "Health Advice to Schools for the Prevention of COVID-19" prepared by the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health. Schools should always keep the school environment clean and hygienic.
Ends/Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Issued at HKT 11:14
Issued at HKT 11:14
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US(Ed) inspects operation of cross-boundary school coaches and class resumption of cross-boundary students