The Kyrgyz government has ordered the closure of the Kyrgyz-Chinese border as of 12 May as a measure to prevent the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The Health Ministry recommended the closure last week. According to the Kyrgyz government order, which affects the Torugart and Irkeshtam crossing points, Kyrgyz citizens returning from China and Chinese citizens returning home from Kyrgyzstan will be allowed to cross for the next 10 days. Akipress.org reported that the Kyrgyz State Tourism Committee is stopping tourist trips to China. Regular air and road communication with China is supposed to cease completely by 15 May, although trucks carrying export goods and Kyrgyz citizens returning from China will be able to cross after that date. (akipress.org)