The Expert Group established to monitor the spread of SARS said this afternoon that the Special Olympics would definitely go ahead.
At the launch of a new national communications strategy to co-ordinate the work of health professionals in monitoring the disease, the Minister for Health, Mr Michael Martin, said the Special Olympics would not be cancelled, although entry restrictions may be placed on countries most affected by the disease.
He added that the event was of some concern to the World Health Organisation (WHO) which was attempting to limit the spread of SARS, and that it was sending a technical adviser to Ireland to advise on measures that should be implemented.
However, no definitive decision on restrictions for the Special Olympics will be taken until the middle of next month.
Other measures announced by Mr Martin include a nationwide public information campaign in newspapers, radio and television which would be based on a list of 'Frequently Asked Questions' to be circulated publicly.
The questions, the Minister said, would address public concerns over different aspects of SARS as well as what to do in the event that someone believes they have been exposed to it.
Mr Martin also announced that he has established a National Implementation Group which will co-ordinate the efforts of health workers to ensure any cases of the disease are reported.
In response to questions as to why similar measures to those taken during the Foot-and-Mouth crisis last year on SARS, Mr Martin said there was too little known about the disease to do so, and that the country had 50 years experience with Foot-and-Mouth while SARS was a relatively new disease.
The Minister will hold daily information briefings on the disease to keep the public up to date on the situation in Ireland.