Night curfew for Hong Kong teachers on study tours to mainland China after man accused of visiting prostitutes on earlier trip

Hong Kong education authorities have told participants of publicly sponsored study tours to mainland China to return to their hotels by 10.30pm and not to go out alone, following an incident where a teacher was accused of visiting prostitutes.

The Education Bureau revealed the move in response to Post inquiries on Friday after a Facebook page claimed the rules governing study tour participants had been strengthened following the episode earlier this month involving a male teacher visiting Wuhan.

A Facebook page under the name “Edu Lancet” said participants of a more recent study tour, also to Wuhan, were told they were not allowed to go out at night.

Bureau staff would wait in the hotel lobby from 10.20pm each night to check whether everyone had returned, and follow up with those who had not, it was claimed.

While the bureau did not specify whether the 10.30pm curfew was a new rule, it said “generally speaking” daily tour group activities finished around 5pm, with members then free to do as they pleased.

“However, to seize the opportunity to promote team communication and care for each other, the Education Bureau recommends that group members avoid going out alone after class,” it said.

“The purpose of reminding group members to return to the hotel at 10.30pm is in the hope they can have a proper rest and prepare for the next day’s study.”