Coronavirus: St Paul’s Co-educational College should postpone alumni association election meeting, advisers to Hong Kong’s leader urge

Cabinet member Ronny Tong calls for caution even as gathering is exempted from government ban and the body has to fulfil a company ordinance

Health expert Professor David Hui suggests using webcast to avoid a large group at a venue

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St Paul’s Co-educational College in Mid-levels. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 11:00am, 30 Mar 2020Updated: 11:00am, 30 Mar 2020

An alumni association of a prestigious secondary school in Hong Kong should postpone its annual general meeting set for Tuesday, or turn to webcast if necessary, according to two advisers to the city’s leader.

Ronny Tong Ka-wah, a member of the Executive Council, said while the meeting was exempted from the government ban on gatherings with more than four people in public places, the alumni association of St Paul’s Co-educational College in Mid-Levels should not go ahead with its plan amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Ronny Tong, a cabinet adviser to city leader Carrie Lam. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

The executive committee of the 8,100-strong alumni association will witness its first contested election since it was established in 1950. Eleven candidates will run for six seats up for grabs on the committee, underscoring the significance of the event.

In a Facebook message on Sunday, association chairman Andrew Luk Wing-kee said they had sought advice and confirmed that the meeting was exempted from the latest government ban.

“Please note that our AGM will proceed as planned on March 31,” he posted.