Concerns persist as Hong Kong schools prepare to reopen after early Lunar New Year break caused by flu spread

After an extended Lunar New Year break, Hong Kong’s schools, pupils and parents are gearing up with extra caution for the first day of classes since the sudden class closures enforced by the government to stem a flu outbreak in the city.

And while most parents the Post spoke to were not too worried, some expressed concerns about their children returning to school on Monday, packing antiseptic wipes in schoolbags and ensuring their children left home with a mask on.

On February 7, the government made the rare decision of bringing forward the festive break for all 1,600 kindergartens, primary schools and special needs schools in Hong Kong, instructing schools to stop classes the next day. Most had been expected to close in the beginning or middle of the following week, exact dates varying from school to school.