Thais set tough SARS travel rules
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Thailand is enforcing some visitors to wear surgical masks for two weeks after entering the country.
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BANGKOK, Thailand (Reuters) -- Thailand, a top Asian holiday destination, has announced whole plane loads of visitors from high-risk countries would be quarantined for 14 days if anyone on board was found with symptoms of the deadly flu-like SARS virus.
Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan told reporters passengers on flights from mainland China and Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Vietnam would be examined by doctors on their aircraft before disembarking, in areas well away from the main terminals.
"Everybody from the high-risk countries will have their temperature checked and go through a brief interview," Sudarat said after visiting a medical centre at the airport.
"Foreigners who are suspected of having SARS [Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome] will be sent back to where they came from," the minister said. "Thais will be sent to hospitals and the rest of the passengers will have to be quarantined for 14 days if any passenger is suspected."
The minister did not say where passengers from affected aircraft would be quarantined. Officials said they would not be kept on their planes but held elsewhere, without giving details.
The measure, likely to lead to major delays at Thai airports, comes a day after the ministry ordered all visitors from high-risk countries to wear masks at all times or face jail terms or a fine.
The Thai authorities said on Thursday they had identified seven suspected SARS cases since the outbreak began. Two patients had died, two were being treated in hospital and three cleared.
Around 200 people believed to be in contact with SARS patients were being quarantined, they added.
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