China Tightens Supervision of Construction Work in Rural Areas

Home>>China

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, May 10, 2003

China Tightens Supervision of Construction Work in Rural Areas

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

China's Ministry of Construction issued an emergency circular Friday, urging local construction authorities to step up supervision of rural construction work in order to prevent the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) to rural areas.

The circular says the underdeveloped health and medical system in China's rural areas and the lack of public health awareness on the part of farmers could facilitate the spread of the contagious disease in rural areas.

The ministry demand construction authorities at all levels to examine the planning and construction of county and town (township) health institutions and hospitals. Preparations must be made for the renovation of medical institutions and facilities at county, township and village levels.

Local construction authorities are also required to strengthen the supervision of local drinking water sources. Companies manufacturing and distributing drinking water should take effective measures to safeguard the quality of their products.

The circular also urges a thorough clean-up of public venues in villages and towns. Construction departments in rural areas are required to take measures to dispose trash in designated sites and to disinfect trash disposal sites, garbage trucks and public toilets.

The circular stresses local medical waste must be separated from other waste and burned at designated sites, while local residents and farmers are encouraged to separate poultry pens from their residences.

The circular makes clear that local construction departments are responsible for ensuring the health care of rural construction workers in their localities and popularizing anti-SARS knowledge among them.

In areas where SARS cases are reported, rural construction workers are prohibited from leaving their work sites without notification and the transfer of workers between SARS-affected regions is strictly prohibited, it stresses.

The circular also calls for the strengthening of preventive efforts at local bus stations, ports and markets, and requests local construction departments to take measures to safeguard the local working and living environment and report to the local government for the shutdown markets affected by SARS.

Questions?Comments? Click here

WHO Experts Inspect SARS Prevention Network in China's Rural Areas

Rural China takes measures to prevent SARS spread

China Increases Anti-SARS Education in Rural Areas

>> Full Coverage

CCTV English Channel Landing in United States ( 29 Messages)

Wu Yi: China Hopes for Further Cooperation with US on SARS ( 2 Messages)

Chinese Premier Calls for Patriotism in SARS Fight ( 2 Messages)

Iraq War Provides Opportunity for US to Reshape Mideast ( 3 Messages)