Government's screening for killer disease SARS has been questioned after it was revealed some passengers from danger areas were still not being questioned.

And yesterday Government gave conflicting messages about when airport procedures were tightened up.

Yesterday, Assistant Immigration Officer Rozy Azhar said travellers from Canada would be grilled by immigration officials about their health in a bid to block the spread of the pneumonia-like infection known as SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).

She said they should be asked if they have been in an illness affected area in the last two weeks and whether they have been ill in the last two weeks.

Last night she said Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Cann had briefed the airport on Monday.

However a Home Affairs spokesman, speaking last night after talking with Dr. Cann, said a medical team met with customs officers on Wednesday.

Yesterday, resident Chris Morris, who earlier questioned the hospital's handling of the SARS issue, said in-laws and colleagues arriving from SARS hotspot Toronto this week had not been questioned - even though two of them were Asian looking and SARS is strong in the Far East. So far the disease has killed at least 78 people in Asia and Canada.

He said: "I had lunch with a guy who came from Toronto on Monday and my wife's sister, who is Asian, was on the same flight and neither of them were asked any questions at the airport regarding who they had been in contact with or anything.

"The very next day my wife's mother, who is also Asian, came from Toronto on Tuesday and she wasn't asked a question.

"I don't quite know what their strict screening process is that they are doing at the airport, but they are not asking questions.

"I am worried about process about finding out who has and who doesn't have this disease.

"Hopefully they will get off their butts. I find it absolutely ridiculous."

Another flyer, who wished to remain anonymous, said he had arrived from the United States, which also has the disease, yet no-one asked him about likely exposure to SARS.

Asked about the alleged lapses Ms Azhar said: "It is something we will certainly look into."

But she again stressed immigration officers would have to strike a balance at the airport in order not to keep tired travellers waiting too long.

However Government did point out people flying from Toronto were pre-screened as Canada moves to isolate the disease and there was now a nurse at Bermuda airport to check out possible cases.

The spokesman said: "Air Canada don't want it on the plane."

But Mr. Morris said: "They say one thing yet we are finding out three different stories. It justifies my concerns."

King Edward VII Memorial Hospital emergency ward chief Dr. Edward Schultz said the hospital was geared up to deal with any possible outbreaks of SARS.

He said suspected cases would be isolated and treated by medics wearing face masks, respirators and protective clothing.