The Department of Health appeals to members of the public who have paid visits to the Metropole Hotel on February 21 or 22, or the Prince of Wales Hospital on or after March 1 this year to call a special hotline, 187 2222, for medical surveillance.

The hotline will operate between 2pm and 6pm today and from 9am to 5pm from March 30 onwards.

Beginning on Monday, March 31, Director of Health Margaret Chan will exercise her authority under the Quarantine & Prevention of Disease Ordinance to require individuals who have come into close contact with people suffering from severe acute respiratory syndrome to report daily to one of  four designated medical centres for a check-up for 10 consecutive days after the last contact.

The centres will operate from 9am to 5pm daily, starting from March 31.

During the surveillance period, these people should stay at home and not go out unless it is absolutely necessary.

They are advised to wear face masks at all time. If they have developed signs and symptoms of the disease, they will be admitted to hospital for treatment.

The four medical centres are:

* Pamela Youde Child Assessment Centre (Shatin),  2/F, 31-33 Chap Wai Kon Street, Sha Tin

* South Kwai Chung Jockey Club Polyclinic, 310 Kwai Shing Circuit, Kwai Chung

* Shek Kip Mei Health Centre, 2 Berwick Street, Shek Kip Mei

* Sai Ying Pun Jockey Club Clinic, 6/F, 134 Queen's Road West, Western