Travel warning on Toronto lifted

GENEVA -- The World Health Organization lifted its warning against nonessential travel to Toronto, saying Tuesday it was satisfied with measures to stop the spread of the SARS virus in Canada's largest city.

Warnings still stand for Hong Kong, Beijing and two Chinese provinces, as China's premier admitted his government failed to act quickly against the disease.

In return for the WHO's decision, the Canadian government promised to do more to prevent the spread of SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, by screening passengers leaving the country.

World Health Organization director-general Gro Harlem Brundtland said the advisory was lifted because there had been no new outbreaks in the community at large for 20 days. She stressed that Toronto is still an "affected area" and travel guidance would be reevaluated if there are any new cases.

The decision to lift the advisory takes effect today. Canadian officials were delighted.

"Our city is safe and I want everyone to come and experience all that Toronto has to offer," Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman said.

Tony Clement, health minister for Ontario province, and his delegation met Brundtland for an hour earlier Tuesday in Geneva. They said Canadian authorities would introduce new screening measures on people leaving the country.

Hong Kong and Singapore already have put such screening measures into effect.

"We certainly know our vigilance must not stop and that we have a responsibility inside and outside our own borders to continue and to win the fight against SARS," Clement said in Geneva.

Health officials are stationed at Canada's major airports to watch for symptoms of SARS among passengers arriving from SARS hotspots in Asia, where the illness originated. All international travelers receive information cards on SARS, and similar measures now will be applied to passengers leaving Toronto.

Outside Asia, Canada has seen the most SARS cases, with 21 deaths and more than 140 cases overall. The majority of the cases have been in Toronto hospitals.