The government today lifted controversial travel restrictions imposed o­n visitors from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Canada in an attempt to halt the spread of the SARS virus, and eased curbs for those from China and Vietnam.

A statement issued by the office of Acting Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the government was encouraged by effective screening of both outgoing and incoming travelers in the countries affected by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.

"These screening processes have gone a long way in containing the spread of SARS...with immediate effect, Canada, Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan are now exempted from such restrictions," it said.

Consultations were being held with the governments of China and Vietnam over the strengthening of pre-departure screening measures for travellers to Malaysia, the statement said.

"In the meantime, tourists from these two countries are now allowed to enter Malaysia subject to medical certification and visa."

Seventh 'probable' case

On April 9, Malaysia introduced visa requirements for visitors from Hong Kong and a temporary freeze o­n tourist arrivals from there and mainland China in a bid to block the spread of Sars.

The government later widened the restrictions to include Taiwan, Vietnam and Canada, all hit by the Sars virus which has killed more than 160 people worldwide and infected at least 3,500, mostly in Asia.

Hong Kong and Taiwan protested Kuala Lumpur's action and China suspended all organised tour groups to Malaysia.

The lifting of the restrictions came as the Health Ministry announced a seventh "probable" Sars case in Malaysia and four new suspected patients, including an Australian and a Saudi Arabian, both aged 28.

Health ministry deputy director-general Ismail Merican said the Australian was in transit April 10 in Singapore and decided to visit Malaysia. He took a train, bus and ferry to Pangkor island in the north-west but fell sick and was hospitalised four days later.

The Saudi Arabian developed Sars symptoms o­n April 15, a day after returning from a two-week trip to China, he added.

Post-mortems

The latest "probable" case was that of a 42-year-old ethnic Indian lorry driver who visited Singapore from April 2-8 and fell ill three days later.

"With this, we have seven probable cases with o­ne death. o­ne patient has been discharged and five are still in hospital," Ismail told reporters.

Of the seven, three patients were infected in China and four in neighbouring Singapore.

Malaysia has now recorded a total of 65 suspected cases and the seven probable cases, including the o­ne death, according to a count kept by local journalists.

Twenty-nine people are still hospitalised while 19 are under home quarantine nationwide.

Ismail said post-mortems were being carried out after two other recent deaths to establish any possible link to Sars, although both had displayed symptoms inconsistent with the disease. - AFP