Cathay Pacific urges Taiwan to lift its travel restrictions

Cathay Pacific Airways today welcomed the World Health Organisation lifting its SARS-related warning against unnecessary travel to Taiwan and urged the authorities there to likewise lift their own travel restrictions on visitors from Hong Kong.

Both the WHO and US Center for Disease Control have lifted their travel bans on Hong Kong and declared that Hong Kong has been successful in containing the spread of SARS and that there are no special health risks to travellers here.

However, Taiwan continues to quarantine travellers from Hong Kong and requires Hong Kong residents to obtain entry visas before travel, slowing the free flow of business and tourist traffic between the two places.

Cathay Pacific Airways General Manager Corporate Communication Alan Wong said: "The WHO lifting its travel ban is good news for Taiwan, yet we look forward to Taiwan lifting its entry restrictions on travellers from Hong Kong, which remain an important barrier to rebuilding tourism and trade. As Hong Kong's carrier, Cathay Pacific will continue to give its full support to  initiatives that strengthen the economy and draw travellers back to Hong Kong."