Hong Kong suspends schools for longer to counter spread of coronavirus

HONG KONG (HRNW) – Scrambling to contain the spread of coronavirus, Hong Kong extended the suspension of schools on Thursday until at least March 16 and told overseas students studying in the city there was no rush to return.

The government also said civil servants would be allowed to work from home until Feb. 23 to reduce the risk of the virus spreading.

Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung said secondary and primary schools would not return from an already prolonged break until at least mid-March, extending an earlier suspension that was due to see students return to lessons on March 2.

The news comes as the Chinese province at the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak reported a record rise in the death toll, as global health experts warned the epidemic could get far worse before it is brought under control.