Gao Qiang, executive vice minister of health, said that although the move may cause great losses to the country's tourism industry, the government is determined to place its people's health first.

However, local travel is still encouraged, Gao said, adding the decision is aimed to discourage large-scale traveling nationwide, and does not mean an end to tourism.

He said it is necessary to control the flow of nation-wide traveling as SARS still exists in some parts of China.

"But we surely do not hope to keep everyone at home," he said. "Local traveling would be harmless."

Meanwhile, the local government in Taiyuan, capital city of Shanxi Province which reported at least 112 cases of SARS, has decided to adjust the summer vacation for children of kindergartens and primary and middle schools, as an emergency measure to prevent the spread of the disease.

Kindergartens and primary and middle schools in the urban districts of the city will have 17 days off from April 21 to May 7. The classes for April 21-30 will be postponed to July 5-14. The summer vacation will be put off to July 15.

Shanxi's more than 100 SARS patients are receiving treatment in hospitals.

(eastday.com April 21, 2003)