Announcements

Dear colleagues and students

The University has been closely monitoring community transmission of COVID-19 in Hong Kong.

This message is to inform you that from Monday 24 January 2022 the University will make additional hybrid learning and teaching options available.

We acknowledge that the current pandemic situation has created anxiety for some about taking public transport to travel to campus, and so the option of online classes will be made available for those who choose to remain at home.

We very much hope to resume full face-to-face teaching after the Lunar New Year holiday, and a further assessment will then be made based on the infection rate in Hong Kong and any updated public health advice.

The detailed arrangements are as follows:

Learning and teaching

• Except for a limited number of practical, lab/clinic-based, studio classes and scheduled examinations, all courses will be conducted in hybrid mode
• Hybrid mode means that synchronous online learning and teaching is available, and students can still opt to attend classes in person

All students and staff attending classes in-person will be required to adhere to necessary infection control measures

Flexible work arrangements

• Staff who are subject to mandatory testing, quarantine or isolation requirements may apply to their relevant departments/units to approve special work arrangements
• Supervisors may approve flexible work arrangements such as remote work for staff who are pregnant or are suffering from a chronic disease
• Lecturers who are not subject to mandatory testing, quarantine or isolation requirements, or are not pregnant or suffering from chronic diseases are expected to be physically present to enable in-person learning and teaching for those students that choose to physically attend classes
• Provided business continuity can be maintained, supervisors may authorise staggered office hours and lunch breaks to minimise mobility levels on public transport and reduce usage of public dining areas at peak periods

The University’s enhanced infection control measures announced earlier remain – and we strongly recommend you get vaccinated or take your booster dose as soon as you become eligible.

Sir Run Run Shaw Hall, Lee Hysan Concert Hall, and all sporting facilities will remain closed until further notice or until such time as the government lifts its current social distancing measures.

We also encourage all Departments/Units to reconsider the need to hold any physical events or activities, and to make use of online options where available.

All staff and students are reminded that it is a requirement to use the Leave Home Safe app when attending canteens, and where the Leave Home Safe app is available at other venues.

Our community can be proud of the efforts we collectively made which enabled us to resume full face-to-face teaching this academic year. In spite of the interruption of university life, we remain committed to ensuring the highest possible standards of educational excellence. We will continuously review the pandemic situation and we hope that cases of local community transmission will be substantially reduced after the Lunar New Year.

Please click here to view our FAQs for more information about our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thank you for doing your part to keep our community safe.

Yours sincerely,

Emergency Response Group
The Chinese University of Hong Kong