Covid-19 Information

Updated on Sept 24th 2020 for the Teaching and Learning arrangement in Semester A 2020/21:

1. From Sept 28th all practicals, field trips and tutorial classes will resume face to face on campus.
2. From Sept 28th all PBL tutorials will resume face to face on campus. We have newly renovated rooms for PBL teaching.
3. We are also making available a clinical skills lab space on the 6th floor of the To Yuen Building which Dr. Parkes will provide further details about in due course.
4. Didactic lectures will continue by zoom except where pracs and classes are scheduled on the same day as lectures for a given course and it is more efficient for lectures to be held on campus (as decided by your Course Leaders)

If you have any questions, please contact the college office (E-mail: jcc.bvm@cityu.edu.hk / Tel: 3442 8948)

Current arrangements for inbound travellers  

With effect from 0.00am on March 25, 2020:  
Hong Kong residents, including students with a valid student visa and Hong Kong ID card, arriving in Hong Kong who have been to any other overseas countries or areas in the past 14 days will be subject to a 14-day compulsory quarantine.  

Accommodation arrangement during the 14-day compulsory quarantine 

If you do not have access to suitable accommodation and meals during the 14-day compulsory quarantine period, accommodation can be arranged for all returning BVM students.  

Please contact Ms Howsie Yiu (Howsie.yiu@cityu.edu.hk)  for further information regarding accommodation during the 14-day quarantine period.

Pre-EMS 

At this stage, pre-EMS is scheduled to go ahead on 18th May in Hong Kong. This is a two-week intensive animal handling practical course designed to ensure you are confident and competent to handle animals during your EMS placements.

We understand that the situation with COVID-19 is dynamic and these arrangements are subject to change. We will keep you informed of any changes to these arrangements. If you have any concerns please contact the Associate Dean and Director of Veterinary Affairs, Professor Vanessa Barrs (vanessa.barrs@cityu.edu.hk).

Husbandry EMS

The 5-week Husbandry EMS programme at Cornell University, unfortunately, has been cancelled. Instead, this 5-week course will be rescheduled for the summer of 2021.

At this stage, EMS placements in Hong Kong are scheduled to proceed as planned for Year 1 and Year 2 students. Depending on government orders about COVID-19, if safe, we will try to schedule some additional EMS placements in Hong Kong, e.g. cat/dog, equine and aquatic placements, to make up for the cancelled EMS at Cornell University in May 2020 and to minimise the amount of EMS left to do next summer. However, the situation with COVID-19 is dynamic and subject to change, and it is possible that some or all EMS activities may have to be cancelled. We will keep you closely informed of any changes to the schedule of EMS activities for 2020.

All overseas EMS placements, including ones to Pure Source Dairy, have been cancelled. There will be the opportunity to attend Pure Source Dairy for clinical EMS in the future.

If you are unable to return to Hong Kong in May 2020 and EMS placements in Hong Kong are going ahead, if permitted under COVID-19 restrictions in the country in which you are currently residing, you can attend EMS placements of a similar type in your own country. These self-arranged placements will need to be approved by the EMS Coordinator to ensure they are suitable. Examples would include cat and dog shelters, equestrian facilities, livestock farms, aquatic farms, or aquariums. Please contact the EMS Coordinator for more information.

Clinical EMS

All Hong Kong-based Clinical EMS activities are scheduled to proceed as planned. However, the situation with COVID-19 is a dynamic one and subject to change. We will monitor the situation carefully and let you know of any changes in the arrangements.

The Cornell Summer Research program has been cancelled and there will be an opportunity to apply again next year.

If you are unable to return to Hong Kong in May 2020 and EMS placements in Hong Kong are going ahead, if permitted under COVID-19 restrictions in the country you are currently residing, you can complete your EMS in your home country. Examples would include small animal veterinary clinics, large animal veterinary clinics, equine veterinary clinics. Please contact the EMS Coordinator for more information and for approval of any self-arranged placements.

General health advice

• Frequently Asked Questions on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/102624.html 


• If you feel unwell
  If you experience symptoms of coronavirus, which include a fever, a cough, sore throat or shortness of breath isolate yourself from others, stay at home and consult a doctor promptly.
  Young Chung Yee Health Centre Medical Clinic, Telephone number: 3442 6066 

Things you can do to support yourself

• Take care of your body
  • Eat healthily
  • Avoid alcohol and drugs
  • Exercise
  • The WHO has published guidance on staying physically active at home
    http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-emergencies/coronavirus-covid-19/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-technical-guidance/stay-physically-active-during-self-quarantine
  • Get plenty of sleep
• Avoid too much exposure to news
  Have a break from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including on social media. 
  Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
   
• Take breaks
  Make time to do some other activities you usually enjoy. Try something new!
   
• Connect with others
  Talk to people you trust about any concerns and how you are feeling. 
   
• Seek help when needed
  Contact your health care provider or the CityU Counselling Service: CityU Counselling Service 

CityU Counselling Service 

The CityU Counselling Service is available through telephone or email counselling.  (This is a temporary operation to reduce the risk of the virus spreading. Face-to-face counselling will be arranged whenever appropriate.) 

Please call 3442 8035 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. during weekdays to talk with the counsellor on duty. 

Alternatively, you can also send a counselling request by leaving your contact information by email: socs@cityu.edu.hk.  

For non-office-hour counselling service on weekdays after 5:30 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, please call 5117 7807. 

More information: CityU Counselling Service 

More information 

In emergency situations, staff and students who need assistance should call the CityU 24-hour emergency hotline: 3442 8888. 

Non-local students or students who are currently overseas can contact the Global Engagement Office (GEO) (geoins@cityu.edu.hk) for enquiries. 

Please also pay attention to the latest updates from the Emergency Response Unit (ERU):
https://www.cityu.edu.hk/media/ERU. 

Self-Help Resources:
https://www.cityu.edu.hk/sds/cs/pc/mhi.htm. 

Latest news and announcement about Covid-19 from the Hong Kong government: 
https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/index.html