Press Release - April 1, 2003

Responding to inquiries from the media, the Director of Health of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Dr Margaret Chan refuted rumours that Hong Kong would declare itself an infected area.

"I would like to take this opportunity to inform the people of Hong Kong categorically that we have no plan, and there's no need, for us to declare Hong Kong as an infected area," she said.

"As a matter of fact, our airport and all our external transports with other parts of the world will continue as usual. Everything is running as scheduled and normally."

Dr Chan added: "Another point I wish to make is, in terms of food supply and other supply, we have adequate supply to provide the needs of the citizens of Hong Kong. So there is no need for anybody to have a run on food and other things."

Meanwhile, the HKSAR Airport Authority Chief Executive Dr David Pang stated that Hong Kong International Airport was operating normally. Rumours that the airport would be closed are unfounded and unsubstantiated, he stressed.

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.