Press Release - April 23, 2003

The Department of Health of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will check the temperature of all people arriving in Hong Kong at Hung Hom and Lo Wu from 6am tomorrow (April 24).

The measure is part of the HKSAR government's strategy to contain the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome, a spokesman for the department said today (April 23).

The spokesman said that while this could cause some inconvenience to travellers, he hoped they would understand that it was an essential measure for their own sake and that of the community.

"Members of the HKSAR Civil Aid Service will be responsible for taking the body temperature of the travellers. The HKSAR Immigration Department and relevant parties will provide support and assistance," the spokesman said.

Additionally, starting from midnight tomorrow, all people arriving at Hong Kong International Airport, including transit passengers, will be required to have their temperature checked.

Those suspected of having atypical pneumonia will be referred to hospitals for further management.

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.