To American Citizens in the Beijing Consular District

Jun 9, 2003

The following information on SARS in China was provided to U.S. Government Personal on June 9, 2003.

Current SARS Situation in China

Although the daily number of SARS cases in China continues to drop, all American residents in China should remain alert and continue to take the proper sanitary precautions, including frequent hand washing. Additional information, including recent infection rates and trends in SARS in China, can be obtained on the CDC and WHO web sites, available respectively at http://www.cdc.gov and http://www.who.int.

Extension of Authorized Departure

On May 30, the Department of State extended its order for Authorized Departure for all Diplomatic Personnel in China for an additional 30 days. During this period, designated personnel who wish to travel to the United States on evacuation orders may do so. Those persons who leave China on evacuation orders may not be able to return until the Authorized Departure order is lifted. The new 30 day period will expire on June 30, before which time, the Ambassador will assess conditions and request continuation or termination of the order for Authorized departure.

SARS "Exit Certificates"

On June 5, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) issued a notice that persons leaving China to travel to certain countries should first obtain a health certificate indicating that they are not infected with SARS. This is due to requirements of the receiving countries. Some media reports have not indicated clearly enough that the requirement is only limited to those traveling to certain destinations from China.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (www.fmprc.gov.cn) maintains the list of relevant countries. As of June 5, those countries were: Burma, Congo, Libya, Malaysia, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Sudan, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

The No-SARS certificate is valid for three days and can be obtained from International Travel Health Centers managed by AQSIQ. Our understanding is that the certificate will cost the traveler 500 RMB.

Beiyuan Gardens

On 29 May, the citizens of Beiyuan Gardens, a housing development in northern Beijing, sent an open letter to the Mayor of Beijing with concerns about SARS control measures in their neighborhood, citing an apparent cluster of cases. The Beijing Center for Disease Control responded that Beiyuan Gardens has had seven probable cases and seven suspected cases of SARS, and that these figures have been included in the daily reports issued by the Ministry of Health.

World Health Organization officials indicate that there appears to have been a communications problem between Beiyuan Garden’s managers and its residents. They note that the Beiyuan Gardens “cluster” of cases does not all resemble the situation at Amoy Gardens in Hong Kong, and that the last recorded new case in the development was registered on May 26.

Religious Services

River of Grace Christian Church is holding regular scheduled services. No change in scheduling due to SARS.

Congregation of the Good Shepherd has stopped services because of SARS, but will resume their regular schedule on June 15 at Capital Mansion from 10-11:30 AM.

Beijing Baptists - Because of SARS, services have been held at member’s homes but as of three weeks ago, they have been meeting at their regular location (Yanxiang Hotel) and hours.

Beijing International Christian Fellowship (BICF) is holding a limited size service at the 21st Century Hotel on Sunday afternoons at 3 PM.

Catholic Services - Mass at the Canadian Embassy has been cancelled due to SARS. No word yet on when they will resume.

Kehillat Beijing (Jewish) continues to hold services Friday evenings from 7-9 PM. The services have moved to the Capital Club (50th Floor of Capital Mansion) vice the Capital Club Athletic Center.

Chabad Beijing (Jewish) continues to hold services Friday evenings and Saturday mornings at the Rabbi’s home in Kings Garden Villas.