The Department of Health remindsparents and students to take precautionary measures to prevent respiratory tract infections, including SARS, in view of the approach of the new school year.

The Transport Department also reminds transport operators including Light Rail, East Rail, Mass Transit Railway, Kowloon Motor Bus, New World First Bus, CityBus, New Lantao Bus, New World First Ferry, and Hong Kong & Kowloon Ferry  to provide adequate public transport services to meet any upsurge in transport demand by students on September 1.

On that day, the department will activate the Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre to closely monitor the traffic situation and transport services.

There will be close liaison between the department and major operators as well as other Government bodies.

Department staff will be deployed to observe traffic conditions and provide on-site information.

Students, especially those attending a new school, should familiarise themselves with the public transport routes  they will take and allow more time for travel.

Those living and studying on the outlying islands should check ferry schedules beforehand.

For enquiries on bus and ferry schedules, people can contact:

New World First Bus on 2136 8888;

City Bus on 2873 0818;

Kowloon Motor Bus/Long Win Bus on 2745 4466;

New Lantao Bus on 2984 9848;

New World First Ferry on 2131 8181; and,

HK & Kowloon Ferry on 2815 6063.

The health department stressed that personal hygiene was of primary importance in preventing infectious diseases. Parents should take the temperature of their children daily before they go to school and the temperature record sheets should be shown to the school.

If a student has a fever or mild symptoms of respiratory tract infection, or is not feeling well, he or she should wear a mask, seek medical advice, and refrain from going to school.

Students should wash their hands before meals and after sneezing, coughing or cleaning their noses. They should also avoid sharing towels or sharing utensils at meal times.