"No restrictions in this regard are recommended," read the WHO statement, posted on its website.

The announcement - which reinforced an earlier statement made on April 11 - came following concern from international buyers that cargo from Sars-affected areas could spread the virus. No cases of cargo-to-person Sars have been reported. 

The WHO said it would continue to monitor the situation closely in collaboration with Ministries of Health and partner agencies.

The statement came a day after the WHO released preliminary findings into the resistance of the coronavirus. Laboratory tests conducted in Hong Kong, Germany and Japan found that virus could survive for longer periods - between three hours and four days - in urine and faeces. The findings appear to support a report prepared by scientists in Hong Kong into the spread of Sars in the Amoy Gardens residence in early March.