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Hong Kong, battling a respiratory virus which has left 11 people dead here, announced new measures on Thursday to combat the spread of the disease, including the closure of schools and a tough quarantine law.

Hong Kong chief executive Tung Chee-hwa, who has come in for some criticism for moving too slowly to curb the outbreak of atypical pneumonia, announced that primary and secondary schools would be closed from Saturday to April 6.

Tung also told a press conference that his government would invoke a quarantine law which would require people showing symptoms of the disease to stay at home and be monitored by health workers.

The organizers of the Hong Kong Sevens Rugby tournament announced meanwhile that the biggest annual sporting event in the former British colony would go ahead despite the outbreak of the disease.

"The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union confirms that the 2003 Sevens is proceeding as planned," said John Molloy, chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union.

He said health authorities had assured organisers there was a "minimal" risk for the estimated 40,000 spectators and 24 teams taking part in the three-day tournament starting Friday because it was taking place in open air conditions.

Three teams -- France, Italy and Argentina -- had already withdrawn from the tournament because of health concerns and have been replaced.

While there was good news for rugby fans, there was disappointment for fans of the Rolling Stones as the rock legends announced they were cancelling concerts scheduled here on Friday and Saturday because of the epidemic.

The outbreak of atypical pneumonia, also known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), claimed an 11th victim in Hong Kong as the health authorities announced that a Filipino woman had died on Monday of the disease.

The Department of Health and Hospital Authority also said in a statement that another 51 people have been hospitalized with symptoms of the disease bringing the total number of suspected cases in Hong Kong to 367.

Besides announcing the closure of schools and the invoking of the quarantine law, Chief Executive Tung said visitors to Hong Kong will be required to fill in health declarations and quarantine inspection centres will be set up at all ports of entry and exit.

Under the Quarantine and Prevention of Disease Ordinance anyone refusing to be quarantined could face a fine of 5,000 Hong Kong dollars (642 US dollars) or up to six months in jail.

"If the disease is evident in the patient they will be taken to hospital and quarantined there," Tung said.

Officials here estimated the quarantine would initially affect more than 1,000 people in the territory.

The ordinance will also allow the authorities to carry out building, ship and plane searches and compulsory disinfection.

The last time the law was used was in the 1960s, when Hong Kong was still a British colony, to combat an outbreak of cholera.

"We have to win this battle. We need to work together with the entire community," Tung said.

"With the exception of universities, all schools including primary and secondary schools, will be suspended until April 6," Tung said. Kindergartens as well as special and vocational training schools will also be closed.

Arthur Li, secretary of education and manpower, told reporters the decision to close schools followed indications that the disease had spread beyond health workers and their families to the community at large.

"Now is the time to close," said Li, adding that the authorities will decide next week whether the closure of schools will be extended beyond April 6.

In another development, University of Hong Kong reseachers said they have developed a diagnostic test to rapidly identify victims of the atypical pneumonia which has been reported in a dozen countries besides Hong Kong.

The diagnostic test will be available at hospitals here starting on Friday, the researchers said at a press conference Thursday. 

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