Tourists from China visiting Sabah will have to undergo compulsory health screening following the re-emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) virus in that country, Chief Minister Musa Aman said today.

He said the decision was made by the state cabinet in an effort to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.

"It seems that Sars is still there and we must ask them (the visitors) to undergo health screening. There will be no exemption as the measure is to prevent the infection from spreading to Sabah," he was quoted as saying in a Bernama report.

Musa said that, to date, Sabah has remained free of Sars infection.

Last year, the outbreak of the disease - originating from China - claimed the lives of hundreds worldwide before it was declared over in July.

The chief minister also advised Malaysians from Sabah who intend to visit China to take the necessary precautions to avoid being infected.

Meanwhile, the Consumer Association of Sabah (Cash) welcomed the move, saying that it was for the good of everyone.

"We hope it will be implemented immediately," said Cash president Patrick Sindu.

Full alert

In a related development, all hospitals and clinics in Sarawak have been placed on full alert following the reports of Sars cases in China.

State medical health director Dr Yao Sik Chi, however, said there was no cause for alarm as Sarawak was safe.

"State medical personnel will have to immediately inform me if they come across anyone suspected of having Sars. We do not take Sars lightly," he told Bernama .

Yao said this is a precautionary measure and that his department would monitor the situation daily.

He said medical personnel have been stationed at all airports and entry points in the state to check passengers arriving from China and Hong Kong.

"There are no direct flights from China and Hong Kong except through the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Kota Kinabalu to Kuching International Airport," he said.

Yao said visitors would be required to fill forms giving their particulars and have their body temperatures tested.

Last year the department installed a portable digital thermal scanner at the Kuching airport to check on passengers from Sars-hit Singapore.