HONG KONG, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam announced a string of measures on Friday to further contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, including extending the suspension of classes at schools for at least two weeks.
Primary and secondary schools, kindergartens and special schools across Hong Kong will not resume class until March 2, Lam told a press conference, adding that the date may be further postponed pending the HKSAR government's future assessment of the development of the epidemic, the supply of anti-epidemic materials and the readiness of schools.
Lam last Saturday raised the HKSAR government response to the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic to the highest level with a series of measures, including delaying the opening date of schools after the Lunar New Year holiday from the beginning of February to Feb. 17.
The decision to further delay the resumption of school was aimed to keep students at home and minimize their social contact so as to reduce the spread of the virus in the community, Lam said at Friday's press conference.
The number of confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection in Hong Kong has risen to 12 as of Friday morning.
The total number of cases fulfilling the reporting criteria in Hong Kong has increased to 680 as of Thursday noon, and over 400 cases of them have been ruled out as novel coronavirus infection.
