Posted May 5, 2003.

Toronto SARS Advisory Lifted, ALA Stays Course

The Executive Board of the American Library Association decided May 2 to retain Toronto as the site of its joint Annual Conference with the Canadian Library Association, scheduled for June 19—25. The choice to stay follows an April 29 decision by the World Health Organization to lift the travel alert it had issued six days earlier advising against all but essential travel to the city because of the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Prompted by the WHO advisory and the concerns of members, the board convened by telephone April 29 to decide whether or not to proceed with the conference but delayed a decision until in order to consider the expected lifting of the advisory and the recommendations of Canadian health officials, representatives from Toronto tourism, and the concerns of Association members and staff.

“This decision has been reached following the assurance of leading health officials who inform us that it is safe for our members, exhibitors, and guests to visit Toronto,” said ALA President Maurice J. Freedman in a press release announcing the decision. “We take the occurrence of SARS in Toronto very seriously and have carefully considered all options and opinions before choosing to stay.” An FAQ on the decision is also available.

Posted May 5, 2003.