IMPORTANT: Class suspension at HKU

mportant message from the President’s Office


Dear colleagues and students,



In light of the latest development of the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak, classes at the University will be suspended after the Chinese New Year holidays and will resume Monday, February 17, 2020. Detailed arrangements about in-class examinations, online teaching and make-up classes will be announced in due course.



Non-local students who are in Hong Kong are advised to stay in Hong Kong during the period when classes are suspended. Those who are not in Hong Kong at present should consider not returning to Hong Kong at this point in time. Research postgraduates should discuss their study plans with their supervisors.



We have strengthened preventive measures as far as practicable across the University. However, students and colleagues, especially those in residential halls, should take proper precautions related to personal hygiene and prevention of transmission or infection. Please consult the advice and announcements provided by the University Health Service at http://www.uhs.hku.hk/phpedpr/novel_infectious_disease_of_PH_significance.php

In order to safeguard the health of all University members, and to be able to provide appropriate assistance to affected individuals, all students and colleagues returning from Mainland China must complete an online health screening form, which will be emailed to University members.



The campus will remain open, and office and research labs will continue to operate, but heads of units and supervisors should communicate clearly with colleagues about working arrangements and exercise discretion regarding staffing flexibility as necessary, including work at home arrangements for some colleagues.



Events on campus in the coming weeks, especially events involving a large number of participants, should be rescheduled or cancelled.



The University has established a Task Force on Infectious Diseases, chaired by Vice-President (IA) Professor Norman Tien, to continually monitor and assess the situation. We will post updates to the University’s FaceBook page, HKU App and HKU Portal and website as appropriate and send bulk emails as necessary.



Please stay vigilant and continue to make your personal health a top priority.




Professor Xiang Zhang

President and Vice-Chancellor