To:  All Students and Staff Members

Dear students and colleagues,

On behalf of the University, Provost and Vice-President (Academic and Research) and Vice-President (Organisational Development) would like to update you on the following teaching, examination and health arrangements concerning the commencement of Semester 2 of AY2021/22.

Teaching and Examination Arrangement for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes

1. All classes and examinations will continue to be conducted face-to-face on campus in Semester 2 while NO live broadcasting of classes will be available for both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Students who fail to provide a proof of full vaccination or negative test result of COVID-19 as required by the University for Semester 2 (see below measures) could be denied access to the campus and result in absence from classes.

Campus Hygiene and Precautionary Measures

2. All staff, students, residents, staff of service providers and other specified personnel are advised to complete vaccination (full course of 2 jabs) prior to the first teaching day of Semester 2 i.e. 17 January 2022. Those who cannot comply must present negative test result ^{(note 1)} carried out within the previous 14 days of 17 January 2022 and followed by subsequent test result update every 14 days since their last test result, or else entry will be affected. In either case, the online Health Declaration for Semester 2 must be completed between 12 Jan to 17 January 2022. The University reserves the right to only allow entry of those who have fully complied with the above-mentioned requirement.

3. The updated Health Declaration Form for Semester 2 (to be available w.e.f. 12 January 2022 with a reminder by mass email nearer the date) includes a section to indicate and upload any of the following proofs:

–        Proof of completing a vaccination course against COVID-19 for 14 days or more (i.e. completing two jabs) or

–        Proof of a negative test result of COVID-19 carried out within 14 days of 17 January 2022.

File formats accepted include jpg; jpeg; png and pdf. All information submitted via the Health Declaration will be handled in strict confidence and accordance with the University data handling guidelines.

4. Residents of Residential Colleges (RCs) will be required to provide a full vaccination proof or a negative test result prior to move-in and between 12 – 17 January 2022, whichever is earlier.  For details, please refer to RCU announcements to be sent directly to residents.

5. For visitors, in addition to the completion of the health declaration, starting from 17 January 2022, they will be requested to scan the QR code of the “LeaveHomeSafe” before they enter the campus to facilitate their own COVID-19 contact-tracing.

6. Please refer to the University’s announcements on COVID 19 for latest updates and the Policy Guidelines for Handling COVID-19 Cases at HSUHK from CDMO.

The University will continue to monitor the latest situation of the pandemic and make appropriate changes and announcements in a timely manner.

Please watch out for the announcement of the online Health Declaration link for Semester 2. Thank you for your attention and cooperation.

Best regards

Provost and Vice-President (Academic and Research)

Vice-President (Organisational Development)

22 December 2021

(Note 1) Information on testing methods:

Virus testing routes

• obtain a deep throat saliva (DTS) specimen collection pack from any of the designated distribution points (see below), and return the specimen to one of the designated collection points
• undergo self-paid testing in Community Testing Centres (CTCs)
• Or they can self-arrange testing provided by private laboratories

Distribution points of DTS specimen collection packs

• General Out-patient Clinics (GOPCs) of Hospital Authority
• Post Offices(except mobile post offices)
• Vending machines at MTR stations

Collection points for submitting specimens

• COVID-19 specimen collection points
• Special arrangement under inclement weather conditions