China: Authorities ban international travel to mountainous destination
International travellers are being banned from the mountainous Tibet Autonomous Region (Tar) in an effort to stop the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
Flights from other parts of China have been cut back drastically, while international flights have been stopped completely and international visitors have been banned. According to the BBC News website, at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3010647.stm, road blocks have been set up on roads into Tibet and doctors are on hand to check the temperatures of those who want to enter the region.
The website also reports that those already inside Tibet have been quarantined until being given permission to leave – but that some independent travellers are still finding their way in. One Tibet official told the BBC that the ban will last until September – much longer than China has admitted – which will effectively rob Tibet of a tourist season this year.
For the latest Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice visit www.fco.gov.uk/travel.
