Travel ban over STDs 'ineffective'

HONG KONG - Banning foreigners with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) from crossing borders has almost no impact on efforts to halt the spread of infection, say experts.

China lifted its two-decade entry ban for sufferers of STDs, including HIV and AIDS, as well as leprosy, on April 27.

Yet despite a poll by China Daily and sohu.com finding that 84 percent of almost 4,200 respondents are against the move, analysts say the law had little effect on the fight against disease.