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)
