The International Students’ Committee (ISC) has been following the spread
of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (S.A.R.S.) very closely. Being deeply concerned about the development
of this illness and its effects, over the past few weeks the ISC has intensified its contact with the
World Health Organisation (WHO), the Swiss Federal Department of Health (Bundesamt für Gesundheit) and
the health authorities of the State of St. Gallen since the personal health and safety of each individual
participant of the St. Gallen Symposium has the highest priority for the ISC.
The
experts of the various health organisations have unanimously confirmed that under the current circumstances
the 33rd St. Gallen Symposium can take place at the University of St. Gallen as planned within the stated
framework.
They see no increased risk of contracting S.A.R.S. for the participants of the Symposium.
However,
based on the current situation, the State of St. Gallen authorities in their directives of 2 May 2003
and 12 May 2003, strongly urged that persons who were in the WHO-listed S.A.R.S. affected countries
– People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Taiwan – within 10 days prior
to the St. Gallen Symposium, 11–21 May 2003, not be permitted to participate.
Persons
who were in the countries the WHO has designated as strongly threatened by S.A.R.S., Canada (Toronto
area only), Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam, in this same time period are urgently
requested to undergo a medical check-up before attending the St. Gallen Symposium.
The
ISC must accept the directives of the State of St. Gallen and will follow its proposed arrangements.The
ISC will maintain regular contact with the health authorities, keep a close eye on the situation and
take appropriate action. If there are any changes in the assessment of the risks, the ISC will promptly
inform everyone.
St. Gallen, 12 May 2003
