The 2^nd Red Cross International Humanitarian Law Moot, Hong Kong

SARS Prevention Guidelines and Contingency Plan

 

The Hong Kong Red Cross (HKRC) has adopted a 3-Level SARS Response System with each level’s name and definition being the same as that of the HKSAR Government’s SARS Response Plan:

	Definition
Alert Level	Activated when there is (a) laboratory-confirmed SARS cases outside Hong Kong; or (b) a SARS Alert (as defined by the World Health Organization) in Hong Kong.
Level 1	Activated when there is one or more laboratory-confirmed SARS cases in Hong Kong occurring in a sporadic manner.  The activation should be completed within 12 hours of the laboratory confirmation;
Level 2	Activated when there are signs of local transmission of the disease;

 

 Alert Level

A.     Guidelines for Non-Local Participants

1.      Before Leaving for Hong Kong:

• Please make reference to the “Health Advice for Visitors to Hong Kong” issued by the Department of Health (DH) of the HKSAR (http://www.info.gov.hk/dh/diseases/ap/eng/inbound.pdf) and check DH’s website http://www.info.gov.hk/info/sars/eindex.htm for the most updated information about HK’s situation.
• Purchase suitable travel insurance to cover emergency medical expenses.

 

B.           General SARS Prevention Guidelines for Participants and Workers

1.            Maintain good personal hygiene:

• Please follow the SARS prevention guidelines of DH (http://www.info.gov.hk/info/sars/eindex.htm)

2.     If you have a fever (i.e. above 37.5℃ on 3 separate recordings) or diarrhoea:

• Do not participate in any group preparation work for the Moot or in the mooting competition.
• Inform your team captain or concerned work-in-charge to find substitute for your place.
• Consult your doctor promptly
• Wear a mask to reduce the chance of spreading the infection

 

Level 1

A.            General SARS Prevention Guidelines for Participants and Workers

• When there are confirmed cases in Hong Kong, but without signs of local transmission, the IHL Moot will proceed as scheduled unless the Secretary of the IHL Moot informs participants of other alternative arrangements.
• All participants and workers of the Moot should maintain good personal hygiene and wear facemasks when having group preparation work.
• Inside a courtroom, during the mooting competition, all participants, workers, judges and members of the audience should wear facemasks.
• Any participant or worker who has a fever or flu-like symptoms should not participate in any group preparation work or in the mooting competition; inform the team captain or the concerned work-in-charge to find a substitute for himself/herself.

 

B.      Individual Institutions’ Withdrawal

• If any participating institutions, after calculating their own risk, decide to withdraw from the Moot, they should give written notification to the IHL Moot Secretary by fax or email as soon as possible before Feb 20, 2004.

 

Level 2

When there are signs of local transmission, the IHL Moot will either be postponed or cancelled.  If such situation occurs, the Secretary of the Moot will inform all participants as soon as possible and before February 20, 2004.

 

Important Note:

The above guidelines and contingency plan may be changed subject to the current situations in Hong Kong and the guidelines issued by the HKSAR Judiciary Department for the High Court.