Hong Kong and Mainland authorities have signed an agreement to enhance co-operation on health quarantine measures at boundary control points, to reduce the risk of communicable diseases.

Director of Health Dr PY Lam and Department of Supervision on Health Quarantine of the General Administration on Quality Supervision, Inspection & Quarantine Director General Chen Xiaofeng signed the document in Beijing.

Under the agreement, which came into immediate effect, both sides will:

* strengthen the notification system and communication channel on disease outbreaks and public-health incidents;

* develop core capacity at points of entry and strengthen relevant prevention and control measures as required by international health regulations;

* enhance prevention and control of disease vectors at points of entry, including vector surveillance on cross-boundary conveyances; and

* step up contingency response to public health incidents.