McMaster continues to monitor updated information about Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Although no cases of SARS have been reported in Hamilton, the University has decided to institute additional precautions to reduce the level of risk.

All members of the McMaster community are strongly encouraged to delay or reschedule visits to campus by visitors who are from or have recently travelled to countries that have been identified by Health Canada as areas of higher risk. There are differences in the international advisories issued by the World Health Organization and Health Canada but the decision has been made to follow Health Canada guidelines. At this time these countries include

• China
• Hong Kong
• Taiwan

Anyone travelling from these countries is asked to not come to campus for 10 full days following their arrival in Canada. This could have an impact on some conferences, group events and individual visits.

The University also requires international graduate students, post-doctoral students and exchange students returning from these countries to complete 10 full days away from campus before attending university facilities.

Those faculty, staff or students who choose to travel to these countries despite travel recommendations from Health Canada will also need to follow isolation protocols before returning to campus.

International students currently at McMaster who would normally return home to countries affected by SARS for the summer and who wish to stay in Canada should contact the International Student Office at ext. 24748.

The SARS situation changes on a regular basis and the McMaster community will be kept informed of any new developments or changes to this protocol. Please monitor the Daily News Web site for updates.

Any questions regarding the University's response to SARS should be directed to the McMaster Crisis Management Team at ext. 24330, or by e-mail to team chair and vice-president, administration, Karen Belaire at vpadmin@mcmaster.ca.

Ongoing updates are available on the mcmaster.ca Web site at http://www.mcmaster.ca/sarsupdate.html