Press Releases

SHWF welcomes WHO's lifting of travel advisory

The Government welcomed the decision by the World Health Organisation (WHO) today (May 23) to lift the travel advisory against non-essential travel to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region imposed on April 2.

"WHO's decision shows that Hong Kong has successfully contained the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)", the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong said.

He paid tribute to the whole community for their concerted efforts in controlling the spread of SARS.

"With the help of dedicated health care professionals who have treated and cared for SARS patients and relentless researchers who have been engaged in identifying and understanding the virus and nature of the disease, 1,255 patients out of a total of 1,724 recovered and were discharged. We expect more discharges in the future," he said.

"Our thanks also go to all those who supported the fight against SARS in various ways.

"Health care workers who were infected in the course of taking care of SARS patients and patients whom, unfortunately, we were unable to save are particularly remembered today," he said.

He called upon the community to keep up with the high standard of personal and environmental hygiene so as to make Hong Kong a healthier and cleaner place to live in.

End/Friday, May 23, 2003
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