Press Releases

Transcript of Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food

Following is a transcript of the questions and answers at a media session by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, at the Central Government Offices today (June 12):

Reporter: (On travel advice and travel alert)

Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food: On the travel advice and travel alerts and whether Hong Kong continues to be listed as SARS-affected area. Obviously we have started the discussion with the WHO, relating the requirements for the SARS-affected area to be lifted. As Dr Heymann comes, I'm sure we have the option to further discuss the issue with him so that we will be able to better answer then the more detailed applications of those criteria. As you know, the WHO has a very transparent criteria relating to when the places to be removed from the SARS-affected areas. But sometimes the interpretation of these criteria is important. And also we are able to demonstrate to the WHO that in fact the criteria are met. We are hopeful we should be able to do that. Obviously, we need some time. As you know, one of the criteria for removing from SARS-affected place is having 20 days, which is two incubation periods, where you have no SARS cases.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion)

End/Thursday, June 12, 2003
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