Press Release - March 26, 2003

The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Tung Chee Hwa, met again with his Principal Officials this evening (March 26) to review the progress made by medical authorities to combat atypical pneumonia and various contingency measures.

Mr Tung pointed out that the disease had posed a real health risk to Hong Kong residents and brought on them a significant psychological burden.

"The present situation is serious. It is imperative for us to adopt more effective measures to prevent the virus from further spreading," he said.

To contain the spread of the disease among the community, the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food of the HKSAR, Dr E K Yeoh, and the HKSAR Director of Health, Dr Margaret Chan, are actively considering whether to invoke the Quarantine and Prevention of Disease Ordinance, which empowers the HKSAR Government to restrict the activities of people having close contact with patients of infectious diseases.

Mr Tung called on various sectors of the community to fully support the HKSAR Government to fight against the disease.

He said that employers should provide resources to step up the cleansing of workplaces and public places. Also they should allow their employees whose family members were confirmed to have contracted the disease not to report for duty in order to stop the virus from spreading at their workplaces.

As for employees, they should pay attention to personal hygiene, wash hands frequently, wear masks whenever necessary and see a doctor promptly when feeling unwell.

He commended again the medical and nursing staff for their tireless and fearless spirit in serving the community.

Mr Tung admired the efforts made by the medical research teams of Hong Kong's two universities in tracing and treating the disease. He said it was encouraging to see their work bearing fruit.

He looked forward to enlisting support from the Hong Kong community at large to win the battle against the disease.

For updated information and latest news on respiratory tract infections, please visit the special home page on the subject at www.info.gov.hk/info/infection-e.htm, and the HKSAR Department of Health website at www.info.gov.hk/dh/ap.htm as well as the e-bulletin at www.news.gov.hk/en/index.shtml.