Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow says the Government will announce its decision next week on the class resumption arrangements for kindergartens and primary schools.

Speaking on a radio talk show today Dr Chow said the Food & Health Bureau is discussing the issue with the Education Bureau to decide what guidelines should be issued to schools and parents, and what measures should be taken if the flu infection rate among students is still high when schools resume.

When asked whether the school closure decision was an over-reaction, he said it was made after assessing the information received and considering public concern.

Admitting it was not a pure public health decision, Dr Chow said public interest was his first priority in making the decision.

On the consultation on healthcare financing, he said the public should first focus on major topics like the financing options, adding detailed implementation and arrangements can be discussed at a later stage.