The Department of Health has denied speculation of a U-turn on the participation of athletes from SARS-affected countries in the Special Olympics.
"The expert group are still considering the two proposals from the International Special Olympics Committee in Washington and the Chinese authorities," a Department of Health spokesman told The Irish Times yesterday.
"Our advice has not changed; we are still asking those countries on the WHO list of SARS-affected countries not to come." He added: "Both proposals are concerned with maximising the number of athletes participating."
The expert group meets every Wednesday, but is expected to meet tomorrow to announce its decision on the proposals.
The International Special Olympics Committee proposal suggests a voluntary period of quarantine for athletes.
"The Games' organising committee made a proposal to the expert group regarding the voluntary isolation of athletes," said Mr Julian Davis, a spokesman for the committee.
"The teams would go into voluntary isolation, which could be validated in a way acceptable to the expert group. As it is, anybody can travel here from anywhere. The ironic thing is the banned athletes could attend as spectators."
It is believed the Chinese proposal also contains suggestions for voluntary isolation. The Department of Health confirmed that there had been "communication between the Chinese authorities and the expert group since last week".
Meanwhile a top Canadian health official has warned that people might have to be "chained to a bed" if they violate the SARS quarantine rules in Toronto.
The warning came from the Ontario Health Minister, Mr Tony Clement, as fears grew that SARS could be spreading further than previously thought. He was reacting to reports that some people in quarantine were not sticking to the required 10-day isolation period.
Toronto authorities are investigating four deaths linked to SARS. The deaths last week happened at a hospital away from areas identified as being affected by the illness. "I don't know how people will like this, but we can chain them to a bed if that's what it takes," said Mr Clement.
One more person in Toronto has definitely died of SARS, but authorities can't say if another five deaths are related to the disease. A 60-year-old woman died on Saturday, said Dr Colin D'Cunha, Ontario's commissioner for public health. That brings the total to 31, all in the Toronto area.
There are 52 probable SARS cases in Ontario, 51 of whom are in hospital. There were 45 probable cases on Saturday.
Over 5,200 people are in quarantine, plus an additional 487 healthcare workers. Another 5,600 healthcare workers are in working quarantine.
Meanwhile, China yesterday reported its first 24 hours without a death from SARS in nearly six weeks, and only two new infections.