About 75 percent of respondents support two-week class suspension and work from home: survey

Around 75 percent of respondents support two-week class suspension and working from home amid the fifth wave of Covid-19 outbreak, a survey has found. 

Although the government has tightened anti-epidemic measures earlier, they did not include class suspension and work from home arrangement for civil servants. 

Hong Kong Round Table on People's Livelihood surveyed 1,140 citizens online and by phone between January 7 to 9. 

The result showed that 75 percent of the respondents agreed the government should arrange for non-emergency and non-front line staff to work from home for two weeks, while 76 percent said that classes should be suspended for two weeks.

The group's Cheung Chin-pan suggested that the government may suspend face-to-face classes for students under the age of 12 for two weeks, or allow them to take an early Lunar New Year holiday. 

He also urged employers to allow employees who are parents to work remotely, so that they can take care of their children at home.

Government advisor David Hui Shu-cheong said in a radio program that the pandemic is definitely not brought under control yet, and confirmed cases are still rising. 

"Although most of the cases are traceable, some of the guests who attended the birthday party of National People's Congress delegate Witman Hung could still be wandering in the community after they were infected,” he said. 

If the risk of community outbreaks increases further, the government should make an early decision on whether to further tighten anti-epidemic measures, including extending the Lunar New Year holiday for schools and allowing civil servants to work from home.