Sars: Hong Kong checks temps

2003-04-16 20:19

Hong Kong - Hong Kong will check the temperature of inbound air travellers from next week to guard against the deadly Sars virus, Chief Executive Tung Chee-Hwa said on Wednesday.

Tung also confirmed that outbound travellers will undergo temperature checks from midnight on Wednesday.

"At midnight tonight Chek Lap Kok airport will start the measure of taking temperatures," he told a press conference.

"This will be done initially for passengers leaving Hong Kong and next week we will take the temperatures for people arriving."

Tung added that similar measures would be introduced for travellers by land and sea but did not give details.

Tung also announced that schools would be reopened in phases after a March 31 shut-down over Sars and the Easter break.

Secondary school children aged 14 and above will go back to school on April 22.

Younger secondary school students and primary school children are "tentatively" due to return on April 28, pending an assessment next week.

Kindergartens will reopen at the discretion of their principals, he said.

Five more deaths from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) in Hong Kong were announced on Wednesday, taking the territory's death toll to 61.

- AFX