HONG KONG, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam announced a string of measures on Friday to further contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, including extending the suspension of classes at schools for at least two more weeks.

Primary and secondary schools, kindergartens and special schools across Hong Kong will not resume class until March 2, Lam told a press conference, adding that the date may be further postponed pending the HKSAR government's future assessment of the development of the epidemic, the supply of anti-epidemic materials and the readiness of schools.

Lam on Jan. 25 raised the HKSAR government response to the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic to the highest level with a series of measures, including delaying the opening date of schools after the Lunar New Year holiday from early February to Feb. 17.

The decision to further delay the resumption of school was aimed at keeping students at home and minimizing their social contact so as to reduce the spread of the virus in the community, Lam said at Friday's press conference.

The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection in Hong Kong has risen to 12 as of Friday morning.

The total number of cases fulfilling the reporting criteria in Hong Kong has increased to 680 as of Thursday noon, and over 400 cases of them have been ruled out as the novel coronavirus infection.

Apart from the extension of school suspension, Lam also announced to extend the special work arrangement for government staff to work at home.

The special work arrangement, originally planned to be implemented until Feb. 2, will last until Feb. 9 and may be further extended after reviews by the government on a weekly basis, Lam said, adding that despite the special arrangement, the HKSAR government will continue providing emergency services and essential public services.

Lam pointed out that the HKSAR government's recent measures of reducing transport services between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland have led to a significant decline in the number of travelers to Hong Kong, adding the HKSAR government will further enhance medical surveillance of possible patients and contacts.

Additional measures in this regard include sending all the Hong Kong residents who have been to Hubei Province in the past 14 days into quarantine centers, and tracking down visitors from Hubei who stay in hotels in Hong Kong and strengthening medical surveillance of them.

Quarantine measures at Hong Kong's control points will be strengthened from Saturday, including a health declaration system to be adopted at Lo Wu and Shenzhen Bay control points, as well as a health screening of all outbound and transit passengers at the airport. Enditem

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