Update on the University Mask Policy (June 10, 2003) Policy on Wearing Masks on CUHK Campus Wearing Facemask - a Must! Disposal of Surgical Masks Clarifications on the Use of the Recommended Surgical Masks Mask Wearing for Persons with Medical Problems such as Allergic Rhinitis

UPDATE ON THE UNIVERSITY MASK POLICY (June 10, 2003)

The Campus (SARS) Task Force has extensively reviewed the Mask Policy in light of the declining trend of SARS in the community and the situation on campus. 

The Task Force has taken into consideration that International health authorities (WHO on May 23, latest from USA CDC on June 4) have lifted the Travel Advisory on Hong Kong in succession because Hong Kong has continually been able to demonstrate that the local SARS outbreak is under control and to satisfy the stringent criteria for their action.  Occurrence of local community transmission has been reduced to nil or minimum now.  Since April 20, for more than 2 SARS extended incubation period, nearly all cases have clear documented contact exposure.

On campus at the university, no staff or students has been on the confirmed or suspect list for a number of weeks. With the exception of a few summer residents, great majority of hostel students has checked out last week. 

In view of the current SARS situation locally and in nearby locations including mainland and Taiwan, and the relatively smaller number of staff and students remaining on campus during this summer time, the Task Force has decided that it is the appropriate time to modify the university Mask Policy along the following lines.

(1)    Staff and students may choose not to wear face mask on campus.  They are advised to keep a face mask handy if they want to wear the mask in crowded public places or poorly ventilated places such as public transports as a precautionary measure.

(2)    However, the wearing of face masks should continue to be required for staff and students in some situations:

·             Those who are visiting or working at UHS and hospitals;

·             Those who are having respiratory infection symptoms or caring for patients with respiratory infection symptoms;

·             Those who are food handlers* of university canteens; and

·             Those who are under observation as close contacts** of confirmed or suspected SARS patients.

The Task Force would like to emphasize that the progress in controlling SARS is in no small measure a result of the adoption by everybody of personal and environmental hygiene practices including the wearing of face masks.  Staff and students should be well aware of the fact that Hong Kong is not completely free of SARS yet and the possibility of resurgence outbreaks in the community is always there.  All other hygiene and precautionary measures should continue to be vigilantly observed. The university will continue to make specific preparations to handle the situation on campus as long as the infection remains a threat to us.   

The Task Force will constantly monitor development of the SARS situation and will advise university staff and students further accordingly from time to time. Further guidelines will be set up for the Orientation Camp activities in August and special preparations for the new Academic year will be announced in due course. 

Please remember all the Important Notices for Staff and Students during Summer Break are still in place and has to be observed.

*   Food handlers include kitchen staff, waiters/waitresses and cleaners.  Members of the canteen inspection teams will advise canteen management for further information.

**  Close contacts are those who have lived with, care for confirmed or suspected SARS patients, or those who have come into contact with the respiratory secretions and body fluids of such patients.

Updated on 10 June 2003

THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG

Policy on Wearing Masks on CUHK Campus

(1)    Until further notice, to protect their health and that of other people, ALL persons MUST wear a mask properly at all times

–        in enclosed/indoor areas on CUHK campus INCLUDING COMMUNAL AREAS IN HOSTELS; OR

–        when attending classes, examinations, assemblies, shows, using the libraries, computer rooms, taking a ride on a school bus and in other crowded areas on CUHK campus; OR

–        when they have coughs, sneezes or any other symptoms of respiratory problems.

(2)    With effect from April 21, the Business Office of the Bursary will sell at the Souvenir Counter surgical masks in units of 10 at a price to be determined by the University to people visiting CUHK campus for business, conference and other similar purposes, as well as other persons working on CUHK campus.  The units which organize the conference/events or receive these visitors or the units which engage the aforesaid workers are responsible for providing/paying for these masks, and should REQUIRE the visitors to wear masks, as advised in (1).

(3)    All persons on CUHK campus must observe the University’s rules on wearing masks and the disposal of used masks which the University may announce from time to time and display on the web of the CUHK Campus (SARS) Task Force or in various locations on campus.

CUHK Campus (SARS) Task Force

Updated on May 31, 2003

Wearing Facemask - a Must!

• In view the current situation in the community about the SARS outbreak, the University wishes to announce that, until further notice, ALL persons MUST wear a mask properly at all times

–        in enclosed/indoor areas on CUHK campus INCLUDING COMMUNAL AREAS IN THE HOSTELS; OR

–        when attending classes, examinations, assemblies, shows, using the libraries, taking a ride on a school bus and in other crowded areas on CUHK campus; OR

–     when they have coughs, sneezes or any other symptoms of respiratory problems.

• This policy is based on good public health and precautionary measures that we all should responsibly be taking.  This practice has been proven to be effective in protecting yourself and others from contracting infection spreading by droplet including SARS.
• We recommend that the use of surgical masks is appropriate, effective and sufficient to achieve the objective of protection.  (Those who work in a health care setting may need more special ones such as the N95.) 
• The material of the surgical mask is strong and soft at the same time.  Make sure that you put them on properly. 

(1) The distributor of the mask should wash their hand/put on a disposable glove before distributing

(2) Wash your hand before putting on the mask

(3) the greenish surface should be facing out and the whiter surface towards your mouth. 

(2) the edge with a small wire embedded in faces up. 

(3) the mask should be put on to cover your nose and mouth and stretched gently over your chin. 

(4) the rubber bands on both sides should be wound around your ears. 

(5) finally, press the thin metal wire along the upper edge gently against the bridge of your nose so that the mask sits nicely on your face.

• We also have the following advice regarding the use of masks:

 (Additional Information from Department of Health: http://www.info.gov.hk/dh/ap.htm )

Disposal of Surgical Masks
 

• As an interim measure, the bio-waste bags/bins are located at the main entrance of all major buildings and next to the recycling bins in heavy traffic area.  
   
• Please be reminded that all bags (red, black or white) and bins designated for the used masks would have the label as shown in the file ‘Signage – Clinical Waste Disposal’. The used mask would be disposed as "clinical wastes".
   
• Users should contact USEO (phone no. 2609 7958) for collection of used masks when the bags/bins are near capacity.  Staff of USEO will also conduct inspections to ensure proper uses of the disposal bags/bins.

Clarifications on the Use of the Recommended Surgical Masks (27 March 2003) 

On the advice of microbiologist for Infection Control and a senior medical specialist of PWH , UHS wishes to update everybody on the use of the recommended Surgical Mask as follows:

• The recommended surgical masks are appropriate for general use as a means for prevention and protection.
   

• It is appropriate to use the Surgical Mask for up to three days under normal circumstances.  The suggestion of using it for 4 hours is not relevant for low to moderate risk areas such as the CU campus.
   

• However, in light of the current situation of the epidemic and the increasing number of confirmed cases in the community, it may be advisable considering changing for new Surgical Masks daily or when soiled or damaged.
   

• There are concerns with the effectiveness of the surgical masks in preventing the passing through of viruses which is of very minute size to our body. It is to be noted that in the common and non hospital environment such as the University campus, if everybody wears a mask, there will be a double protection for each individual person. The actual infective dose of the virus is a vital factor in causing infections. In the common and non hospital environment with good ventilation, the amount of SARS virus should be minimal, and the double protection will greatly attenuate further the chances of infection. Hospital workers, especially those caring SARS patients are required to wear special N95 masks to enhance protection.

Mask Wearing for Persons with Medical Problems such as Allergic Rhinitis (11 April 2003)

• The University decides that all persons on campus must wear masks. 
   

• However, some staff or students have medical problems such as allergic rhinitis.  For allergic rhinitis, sneezing is common especially in the mornings, associated with nasal congestion, irritation inside the nose with a thin and watery discharge, and itching of the eyes. Some will find it uncomfortable to wear the mask when they have such problems, although a few others may find the mask helps possibly by reducing the amount of irritants they breathe in.  
   

• If you have difficulties, you should seek medical assistance at UHS rather than to decide on your own to remove your mask. 
   

• Please discuss your problems with the attending UHS physician. Physicians at the clinic will provide you with the necessary treatment and advice.