The Ministry of Railways has ordered temperature checks on passengers at railway stations across the country, and those with a fever over 38 degrees are forbidden to board trains.

The ministry said travelers with a temperature above 37.5 Celsius degrees and a cough would be sent to the local emergency medical station for further examination, while those whose temperature ranges between 37.5 and 38 degrees, without other SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) symptoms may travel by train.

The ministry has issued contingency plans to deal with another possible outbreak of SARS.

Chinese travelers will make an unprecedented 1.89 billion journeys by bus, train, air or ship during the Spring Festival peak travel season, starting Wednesday, according to estimates by the ministries of railways and communications.

(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2004)