Officials and the public in Inner Mongolia, north China, have been
celebrating the decision of the World Health Organization (WHO) to lift the SARS
travel advisory on the autonomous region and three other Chinese regions.
As severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) was under control in Hebei and
Shanxi Provinces, Inner Mongolia, and Tianjin Municipality, the WHO announced
Friday it would remove its recommendation against non-essential travel to the
areas.
The manager of the Jinxing Restaurant in Hohhot, capital of Inner Mongolia,
set off fireworks Saturday, symbolizing the casting out of devils in Chinese
tradition. Jinxing and 1,000 other restaurants in the city were closed for two
months as a result of SARS.
Zhao Jun, general manager of the Merchant Travel Agency, said, "The removal
of Inner Mongolia from the WHO advisory list has given new hope to travel
services in the region."
Zhao said his company was preparing to open up routes featuring health and
ecological protection on the grasslands this year in a bid to show visitors the
importance of life and the close relationship between man and nature.
Tourism is emerging as a pillar industry in Inner Mongolia. The region played
host to 11.96 million domestic and overseas visitors last year, earning a
tourist income of eight billion yuan.
With SARS under control, there is great public awareness of the need for
personal hygiene though fewer people can be seen wearing face masks. Spitting is
seldom seen in the streets.
However, Yang Chengwang, director of the regional health department, warned
the SARS virus was still unknown and people should remain vigilant.
The Chinese Ministry of Health and the WHO are expected to inspect the SARS
control efforts in Inner Mongolia in the near future. Yang said the region
welcomed the inspection and would offer full cooperation.
