Temperature checks were resumed at long-distance bus stations, railway stations, airport and seaports in Shenzhen by Wednesday noon to guard against SARS ahead of the May Day holidays, which start Saturday.

The city's transport authorities activated three task forces to inspect safety measures Wednesday, the Daily Sunshine said Thursday.

At long-distance bus stations and railway stations, temperature checks are required for departing passengers, while at the Shenzhen airport, checks resumed a few days ago on domestic arrivals as well as departures.

For international travelers, Hong Kong and Macao travelers, health reports and temperature checks are in place at the airport and the Shekou seaport.

Other measures have also been beefed up targeting road safety. The penalty for hiring unregistered bus drivers will be raised from 2,000 yuan (US$240) to 20,000 yuan during the holidays.

Drivers are also required to rest at least one day before resuming their jobs after furlough.

Meanwhile, the city's tourism bureau inspected Zhongying Street on Wednesday and caught six illegal tour guides.

Tourist complaints dropped 30 percent in the first quarter compared with the same period last year in Shenzhen, which the bureau attributed to a "market cleanup campaign."

There were only two effective complaints since the campaign started, said Yi Nengquan, vice director-general of the bureau. The campaign was aimed at regulating the tourism market and maintaining a good image for Shenzhen, especially ahead of the May Day holidays, he said.

Source: Xinhua