China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) passed an action plan Sunday in Beijing to strengthen entry-exit quarantine cooperation in controlling the spread of SARS.
The quarantine and entry-exit management authorities from China and ten ASEAN countries passed the Entry-Exit Quarantine Action Plan for Controlling the Spread of SARS by Governments of the People's Republic of China and ASEAN.
According to the action plan, all cooperating parties shall strengthen the health quarantine measures for entry-exit travelers at the points of entry and exit, and equip the points of entry andexit with medical professionals and relevant checking and protective devices and facilities.
Entry-exit travelers are to accept temperature screening checks and necessary medical inquiry for SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, and complete a health declaration card. Should cooperating parties discover possible SARS patients from arriving travelers, the party of departure shall be notified in the quickest manner, the action plan says.
Should cooperating parties find any possible SARS patient at its own points of entry, the individual shall be referred to health or quarantine authorities for appropriate isolation and treatment.
The conveyances boarded by the SARS patient shall be strictly disinfected. During the voyage of ships of the cooperating parties,should possible SARS patients occur among the passengers or crew members, the carrier may contact the nearest port authority of the cooperating party and stop at the nearest harbor for emergency medical treatment.
Cooperating parties will grant priority customs facilitation to the medicines, chemical and biological agents, medical devices, equipment and protective facilities used for the prevention and treatment of SARS.
The plan also requires the cooperating parties establish an effective close cooperation mechanism and exchange knowledge on the effective prevention and treatment of SARS.
When cooperating parties temporarily close points of entry to prevent the spread of SARS, the concerned parties are to be notified in advance through diplomatic channels according to the related open border agreements already signed.
(Xinhua News Agency June 2, 2003)
