A special quarantine arrangement is expected to be announced within two weeks to allow Hong Kong students to return to schools in the Chinese mainland on time, a source familiar with the matter told China Daily on Monday.

According to the source, the discussion between the Education Bureau and mainland authorities has been optimistic, and chance is high that Hong Kong students will not need to apply for the daily 2,000 quotas of the Humanistic Care arrangement to go to the mainland in time for school.

Recently, due to the difficulty of making reservations at quarantine hotels, many Hong Kong students who studied in the mainland are unable to return to their campuses.

Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin said on Sunday that the special administrative region government has taken a series of measures to review with the relevant mainland authorities the most appropriate assistance, including possible rearrangements for registration and classes.

Grateful for the support of the central government and the cooperation of various mainland authorities, Choi stressed that relevant plans are being actively discussed and that details will be announced in a timely manner.