No teachers and students from foreign nations or from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan had been infected by SARS by May 27, according to Beijing municipal commission of education.

While the SARS situation in the city is easing thanks to strenuous prevention efforts, many overseas teachers and students who had left the city are asking to return, the commission said. However, the authorities have adopted measures to prevent possible SARS infections among students and teachers.

Schools have the right to decide when overseas teachers could return, while those who are newly employed should come to school by the end of August, before the start of the new term.

Overseas students should return to school in accordance with the timetables for local students.

(Xinhua News Agency May 31, 2003)