A number of strict measures have been taken to protect public health at the ongoing 93rd China Export Commodities Fair, which opened Tuesday in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province, the area hardest hit by the SARS virus.

The fair's health office carried out comprehensive sterilization to sanitize the exhibition hall and the courtyard outside the hall prior to the opening, said office director Chen Yaoguang on Wednesday.

He said his staff eradicated pests, flies, mosquitoes and rats and cleaned toilets and sewers.

During the fair, health staff are required to maintain good ventilation within the exhibition hall and maintain the circulation of fresh air in rooms and auditoriums.

As for frequently used public facilities like telephones, elevators, water taps and door handles, the staff disinfects them at least twice a day, in the morning and the afternoon, Chen said.

Food service employees all wear masks, and the purchase, preparation and selling of food items are all carried out under the strict supervision of the health supervision department of Guangzhou, which sends three supervisors daily to inspect food services at the fair.

Chen said the office has prepared well for emergencies, with an ambulance on stand-by and one-time-use masks available. He said his office will arrange at least two more comprehensive sterilizations on April 18 and 24, respectively.

(Xinhua News Agency April 17, 2003)