The SARS Taskforce meets to decide on stronger preventive measures against SARS as tourist arrivals are expected to rise over Easter Holiday.

These measures are in accordance to advice given by WHO experts earlier, according to the press release from the Health Bureau today (17 April).

Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Chui Sai on had chaired the meeting held on 16 April, during which the taskforce had decided on a number of new measures such as improvement of facilities and patients handling process in hospitals, more active monitoring on tourists arrivals and better protection for frontline personnel. The Taskforce also decided to hold a similation of an outbreak to enhance the coordination between departments.

According to the press release, the new measures included:

1. Patient screening procedures would be implemented in emergency rooms of the two hospitals. Ventilation systems in isolation care units and buildings to be used as isolation camps would be improved. Meanwhile, in preparation for possible outbreaks, the Health Bureau had kept enough stock of medicines and protective items and the Conde S. Januario Hospital had increased the number of beds in the isolation care unit to 170.

2. More medical staffs would be posted at the checkpoints to answer inquiry from the public, actively monitor the arrivals and to conduct body check or take other measures when necessary.

3. Through travel agents abroad, the Government Tourist Office would advise tourists who plan to come to Macao to watch their health condition, and advise those with symptoms of SARS to delay their traveling plan.

4. Latest information on SARS situation would be disseminated on the website of the Government Information Bureau for the public. On the other hand, clippings of media reports from Macao and neighboring regions on the subject would be made available for all government departments.

5. Non-emergency services in Conde S. Januario Hospitals would be cut down or stopped; private clinics would be asked to complement such services.

6. In case of an SARS outbreaks in Macao, a 24-hour control center located in Tourism Activities & Conference Center will operate immediately to attend citizens’ inquires and to announce the latest SARS news. Updates on the situation would be announced daily and when necessary, every six hours.

7. The Civic Municipal Affairs Bureau would step up in cleaning the public places while those who spit and litter in public places would be strictly charged. Over the past week, some 350 people have been charged. On 18 April, the Civic Municipal Affairs Bureau, Health Bureau and a number of associations would hold a “Cleaning Day” jointly, with the aim to urge the residents to keep Macao clean.

8. In line with the advises given by the WHO, all Fire Brigade vehicles, which are used to carry suspected or infected SARS patients would be disinfected in a designated area in the Islands.

9. Frontline staffs, such as medical staffs, firemen, volunteer workers would be provided with adequate protective equipment and accommodation. Pregnant staffs would be allocated to duties with lower risk task once SARS outbreaks in Macao.

10. A similation of an outbreak would be held within this month by the Health Bureau, Fire Brigade, Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, Social Welfare Institute, (Emergence Center), Civic Municipal Affairs Bureau, etc to enhance the coordination.

The Macao Special Administrative Region has emphasized that all SARS related news would be handled with high transparency. The authority also urges the Macao resident to maintain personal and environmental hygiene to prevent spreading the disease.