Hong Kong's SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) alert level will stand down from May 28 as no confirmed or suspected SARS case on the Chinese mainland has been reported since May 4, Hong Kong's Department of Health said Tuesday.

The Hospital Authority will also lower its yellow alert on the same day, but will maintain infection control measures.

The SARS Alert Level and corresponding control measures were activated after confirmed SARS cases in Beijing and Anhui last month.

The World Health Organization said on May 18 the chain of human-to-human transmission appeared to have been broken.

The department said the decision was made after careful assessment of the threat of SARS here and in neighboring areas, and it is considered appropriate to adjust the existing SARS control measures to more accurately reflect the actual situation.

From May 28, special border control measures targeted at travelers to and from Beijing and Anhui will be discontinued. Doctors are no longer required to report pneumonia patients with travel history to Beijing and Anhui.

Health screening measures at all immigration control points, including health declaration and body temperature checks for travelers will remain unchanged, according to the department.

The department said close and proactive liaison with the Chinese mainland, Macao and overseas public health authorities as well as the World Health Organization will continue with the ultimate purpose of detecting, preventing and controlling communicable diseases.

The government will also remain prepared and stay vigilant for the possible return of the disease.