The Beijing municipal government issued a circular on Wednesday to quarantine people, areas, animals and products infected, or suspected of being infected, by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), in its latest bid to curb the spread of the virus.

According to a circular issued by the municipal government, those having had close contact with people infected or suspected of being infected by SARS will also be isolated for quarantine.

Places infected by the virus that require quarantine include hospitals, factories, construction sites, hotels, restaurants, office buildings, residential buildings, villages, schools and other designated places, according to the circular.

It stipulates that relevant government departments, organizations and individuals should cooperate with quarantine efforts if they or their units should require quarantine.

The circular was formulated in accordance with China's law on the control and prevention of infectious diseases.

The municipal or district health departments have the authority to determine who and which places require quarantine, and their names will be made public, according to the circular.

The circular, which took effect on April 23, also stipulates that the government will cover the necessary expenses for quarantine.

Compulsory measures may be taken if those involved refuse to cooperate with the relevant departments, and those who violate related laws and regulations will be punished accordingly, it warns.

(Xinhua News Agency April 24, 2003)