Hong Kong Children Begin Easter Holiday One Week Early

(13 March 08 – RV) More than half a million Hong Kong schoolchildren began their Easter Holiday today, one week early, after the government shut all kindergartens and primary schools for two weeks to contain a flu outbreak. The government's decision last night brought back memories of 2003, when an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome claimed the lives of 299 people in Hong Kong. But Experts from the World Health Organization say there is no cause for panic and the flu is not linked to either of the viruses that cause the Bird Flu or SARS. Alice Woo is the Episcopal delegate for education at the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong. She said the school closure is for the best….