Liu Jingyu, an employee with the Beijing-based Beida Jade Bird Co Ltd, returned to a mountain of paperwork after a 10-day break.

Pressing tasks had mounted during the holiday following the April 26 decision by his bosses to send all staff home to prevent the spread of SARS.

"I'm very glad to see my colleagues again. Most staff members came to work today after the long break, although there is flexitime between May 6 and 19 and we can choose whether to come in or not during this period," Liu said.

The municipal government has enhanced the information flow and health authorities and his company have taken effective measures to prevent the spread of SARS, he said. As a result, he did not worry about returning to work.

"Actually, I felt very bored at home alone and am happy to work again," he added.

But for Tie Yingbin, a computer engineer at an information company in Beijing, there would be no return to the office until after the weekend. She is able to work at home using an Internet connection on her computer.

Students at middle and elementary schools in Beijing will remain at home for another fortnight after the first two-week holiday ends today.

The city's education department ordered the closure to prevent the spread of SARS among the 1.37 million students.

Huang Chen, a 13-year-old junior student at the No 15 Middle School in Beijing, said his teachers had given a lot of preview homework for the second two-week holiday.

He said: "I usually spend six to seven hours each day on study during the holidays. I can decide the timetable for myself and the environment at home is quieter than that in school.

"But I need to raise my study efficiency as I am without the usual instruction and supervision from teachers.

"Our teachers have told us their telephone numbers and e-mail addresses. If we come across any questions, we can contact them for help."

Educational authorities plan to hold correspondence classes for students via TV, radio broadcasts and the Internet.

The makeshift classes will focus on reviewing previous lessons with teachers and school leaders directing the students.

(China Daily May 7, 2003)