HONG KONG: Schools will resume regular classes at the end of the summer recess and the government will furnish them with guidelines on how to handle flu outbreaks, Secretary for Food and Health York Chow said yesterday.

"Although the virus (A H1N1 influenza) has strong transmission, it is relatively mild so we should maintain normal social activities, including the resumption of classes," he told reporters at the Legislative Council.

The administration will inform schools about ways to handle any possible flu outbreak.

Chow said details will be announced after discussion with experts and representatives from the education sector.

Australian International School Hong Kong in Kowloon Tong will become the first to reopen at the end of this month. Chow said the administration will inform the school about suitable arrangements by next Monday.

More than 60 students in the school were infected with human swine flu.

"As long as the school has sufficient preparation, it can resume classes," Chow said.

About 20 to 30 percent of kindergartens will also reopen next month. Notice will be given one week ahead of the resumption.

Chow added the administration will communicate with schools in different stages as most institutes will enter the new school year in September.

As of yesterday, the city recorded 62 newly confirmed cases of human swine flu, bringing the tally to 1,327.

Chow said the government would not change the emergency measures, even if there was a death.

"Of course, we are doing genetic sequencing to see whether there is any significant change of the virus," he added.

(HK Edition 07/14/2009 page1)