Government does u-turn on Hong Kong athletes
The Government has overturned its decisions to ban the Hong Kong delegation from the Special Olympics due to fears over the SARS virus.
The decision comes after the Department of Health met with the Hong Kong secretary for Home Affairs in Dublin this afternoon.
Hong Kong officials presented a proposal which took into consideration recommendations of the Irish expert group on SARS.
Delegates will be allowed to participate in the games, taking place here later this month, if they comply with criteria laid out by the Department of Health.
Some of the criteria will include travelling to a non-affected area for 10 days before travelling to Dublin.
Personnel will assess the athletic group and an Irish medical official will examine them upon their arrival in Dublin.
