China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations passed an action plan yesterday in Beijing to strengthen immigration and quarantine cooperation in controlling the spread of SARS.

The immigration and quarantine authorities from China and the 10 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, the parties shall strengthen the health quarantine measures for travelers at immigration check points, and station medical professionals and relevant checking and protective devices and facilities at such points.

Travelers are to accept temperature screening checks and necessary medical inquiry for SARS, and complete a health declaration card. Should the parties discover possible SARS patients among arriving travelers, the party of departure shall be notified in the quickest manner, the action plan says.

Should the parties find any possible SARS patient at its own immigration points, 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.

If possible SARS patients occur among passengers or crew members during the voyage of ships of the parties, the carrier may contact the nearest port authority and stop at the nearest harbor for emergency medical treatment.

The 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 parties to create an effective close cooperation mechanism and exchange know-ledge on the prevention and treatment of SARS.

(Xinhua News Agency June 2, 2003)