Coronavirus: staff, students at 2 Hong Kong universities face stiff penalties for failing to comply with vaccine, testing mandates
- At Chinese University and Lingnan University, consequences for failing to comply with new rules for entering campus include involuntary withdrawal and forced leave
- Other local universities say they too are requiring staff and students to either be vaccinated or submit to frequent testing, though they have not spelled out penalties
Staff and students at two universities in Hong Kong will be forced to take leave, let their contracts lapse or withdraw from their studies if they fail to submit Covid-19 vaccination or testing records under strict new rules governing access to campus.
The hardline measures are set to be introduced next month at Chinese University and Lingnan University, two of several public institutions of higher learning tightening rules for those entering campus, though the others have not spelled out the consequences of non-compliance.
Chinese University reportedly told staff who had not submitted their Covid-19 vaccination records or weekly testing results that their school IDs would be invalidated and they would be barred from campus if they did not supply the documents by January 10.
They were also told they would have to take annual or unpaid leave while barred, and that non-tenured staff would not have their contracts renewed when they expired.
Non-compliant students would also not be allowed to set foot on campus or use university facilities, including libraries.