The 10-point plan ranges from a systematic approach to treating patients, to publicising health warnings. It is in stark contrast to official denials two weeks ago.

Former president Jiang Zemin, head of the Central Military Commission, also ordered 1,200 medical staff from the People's Liberation Army to join the anti-Sars fight. The soldiers will help staff a new 1,000-bed facility being rapidly constructed.

The Beijing municipal government has allocated an additional 400 million yuan (HK$377 million) to the fight against Sars.

Foreign health experts in the capital welcomed the measures.

'In just a week's time there has been a very significant change,' said Luc Van Leemput, the head of mission of Medecins Sans Frontieres, Belgian section, in China. 'Sars has obviously become the top priority.'

The plan includes:

- Strict adherence to prevention, with a focus on early diagnosis and early treatment;

- Recruiting neighbourhood groups to promote prevention, identify potential Sars patients and isolate infected areas;

- Daily audits of all hospitals and full disclosure of cases;

- Co-ordinating health checks with airlines, railways and other forms of public transportation and schools;

- Close monitoring of migrant labour groups inside and outside the city;

- Banning all large public gatherings, closing all entertainment facilities and discouraging holiday trips and social activities;

- Co-ordinating medical personnel in a 'united front'; and

- Gathering social and financial support for frontline medial staff.

Ray Yip, senior adviser for health at the Beijing office of the United Nations Children's Fund, said the policies were a positive step but could have gone further.

'This kind of response clearly is unprecedented,' Mr Yip said. 'What would be great would be if there was a rapid follow up of not only people who now have Sars but of the people these patients have had close contact with in recent days.'

Some international health experts remain worried that the mainland health-care system may not be well equipped to deal Sars.

Robert Pollard, the managing director of Isis Research, a British medical research firm with offices in Beijing and Shanghai, said he was worried officials might be quarantining suspected Sars patients with others.

'If you are suspected of having Sars, are you quarantined in isolation or are you mixed with others who are suspected with Sars?' Mr Pollard said. 'If the latter, then there is considerable likelihood of cross infection even among those who do not have Sars.'

Meanwhile, Beijing reported 8,924 people in quarantine. Among them, 10 China Daily newsroom employees are waiting out a 10-day isolation in their flats after an editor became sick. One of the journalists, David Winning, said he had been provided with food and been contacted regularly by phone while stuck in his apartment.

Students living on the campuses of Beijing Sports University, Beijing Polytechnic University and Northern Jiaotong University are not allowed to leave for any reason. Students who live off these campuses must argue with gate guards about their status, sometimes waiting for higher authorities to mediate.

* For more stories, read the main news section of the South China Morning Post.

Glossary

stark (adj) obvious, acutely defined. If two things are in stark contrast, they are very different from each other and the difference is very obvious

municipal (adj) relating to a city. The Beijing municipality is a local administration among the mainland governmental hierarchy. Beijing is self-governed and does not belong to any provinces. Its status is different from, say, Guangzhou which comes under Guangdong province

adherence (n) the quality of sticking to or following a faith or set of rules

front (n) a group of various individuals or organisations bound together for a common purpose

unprecedented (adj) never having occurred before

Discussion points

- In your opinion, are the 10 suggestions effective to fight Sars and are they feasible in Hong Kong? Why?

- Which would be the most difficult to put in effect in Hong Kong?

- Do you have your own 10-point battle plan for your family and schoolmates? What are your points?