Hong Kong declared Sars-free in 2003 – SCMP archive

This article was first published on June 24, 2003.WHO gives the all-clearby Jimmy Cheung, Chow Chung-yan and Benjamin WongHong Kong is ready to spend $1 billion to rebuild its battered image and lure back tourists and businesses after it was officially declared free of Sars by the World Health Organization yesterday (June 23, 2003).Officials said the announcement had given the go-ahead for a campaign aimed at promoting Hong Kong as the best place for visitors and business in Asia.The programmes include a $400 million tourism drive over the next nine months. Free airline tickets, hotel offers and restaurants discounts are up for grabs.S.K.H. St. Peter’s Primary School students in Shek Tong Tsui prepare to take off their face masks after the World Health Organization announced the removal of Hong Kong from a list of Sars-affected areas. June 23, 2003. Photo: Oliver TsangIn a statement at 3pm, the WHO’s executive director of communicable diseases, David Heymann, said: “This is very significant achievement. Hong Kong, with its dense population and fluid border with China, had one of the hardest outbreaks to control. This success means that the world can now feel safer from the Sars threat.”