PALAU WON’T CLOSE DOORS ON SARS "HOT SPOTS"
KOROR, Palau (Palau Horizon, April 30) — Palau will not close
its borders to visitors from high-risk SARS areas.
Dr. Caleb Otto, Palau’s public health director, said the
country has already implemented measures to prevent the entry of SARS.
Michael O’Leary, a physician from the Centers for Disease
Control, has said that closing borders is not the most important prevention and
control strategy, according to Otto.
He said President Tommy Remengesau, lawmakers and doctors have
discussed the issue and agreed that imposing a travel ban on the entry of people
from high-risk areas "is not the best thing to do at this time."
Although the people’s health is more important than economic
benefits, it is not necessary to close the borders as the government continues
to conduct "strict surveillance," Otto said.
Airlines, hotels and tour operators are cooperating...