The Hindu : Fernandes to be screened

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 23, 2003

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Fernandes to be screened

New Delhi April 22. Like all other passengers landing in India from abroad, the delegation led by the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, to China, will also undergo screening for SARS when it returns.

"All the members of the delegation will undergo the screening," the Union Health Minister, Sushma Swaraj, told reporters today.

Asked if this included Mr. Fernandes, she replied in the affirmative and added in a lighter vein "the highest risk to parliamentarians would be from him."

To a question whether delegations going to SARS-afflicted countries were not increasing the risk of the disease spreading in India, she said the needs of diplomacy had to be met.

China was ensuring fumigation of all aircraft landing there, she said.

Mr. Fernandes, heading a 16-member delegation, left for Beijing on Sunday for a week-long tour of China.

Apart from Beijing, the delegation would visit other Chinese cities and see the three wings of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

PTI

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