Health Ministry mulls over possibility of restricting Chinese arrivals
UPDATED | CORONAVIRUS | The Health Ministry wants to discuss with its Home Affairs counterpart on the need to restrict the arrivals of Chinese nationals into the country to minimise the spread of the new coronavirus in Malaysia.
This comes after Malaysia today confirmed that three Chinese nationals had tested positive for the Novel Coronavirus 2019-nCoV in Johor.
UPDATED 2.15pm | CORONOVIRUS | The Health Ministry wants to discuss with its Home Affairs counterpart on the need to restrict the arrivals of Chinese nationals into the country to minimise the spread of the new coronavirus in Malaysia.
This comes after Malaysia today confirmed that three Chinese nationals had tested positive for the Novel Coronavirus 2019-nCoV in Johor.
“We are suggesting to discuss with the Home Ministry," he said to reporters during a press conference at the National Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre at the ministry's headquarters in Putrajaya today.
“I have informed the prime minister yesterday on the confirmation of the three cases and I am confident I will get to discuss with the home minister (Muhyiddin Yassin) to determine the next step as this (restricting arrivals into Malaysia) is outside our jurisdiction.
“We can suggest.”
Dzulkefly made the statement when asked if the government will consider restricting the arrival of tourists from China following the confirmation of the cases in Malaysia.
He had earlier informed that the three individuals affected by the virus, which originated from Wuhan in China and has so far caused the deaths of 41 people and infected close 1,300 others, were related to a father and son case in Singapore.
This included the wife of a 66-year-old man tested positive in Singapore on Jan 22, and their two grandchildren aged 11 and 2.
However, he said results are still pending in the case of a Malaysian suspected of having contracted the virus.
There is yet no known vaccine for the virus.
In response, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad later said there was no immediate plan to block Chinese arrivals.
Speaking at a separate event, the premier said arrivals into the country will be checked at the early stages and those suspected of having the virus will be warded, observed and quarantined.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad has stated it was working closely with the Health Ministry to screen international passengers at airports across the country.
In a statement, it said this included thermal screening for arriving passengers and flight crews from China.
“Extra measures are being taken by the airport operator, the relevant agencies and the airlines to ensure that the risk of exposure is minimised for the safety of everyone, especially the passengers and staff working at the terminal.
“We have allocated special medical bays for quarantine purposes at the arrival gates to cater to passengers who are exhibiting symptoms of the virus.
“Apart from that, we have reassigned the arrival gates for the incoming flights from China to be nearer to the medical bay to expedite the quarantine procedure and minimise the risk of exposure to a wider crowd,” it said.
Malaysia Airports added that its airline partners are making the necessary announcements to passengers on board while Health Alert Card (HAC) issued by the Health Ministry are being distributed on flights and at Immigration counters.
“We have provided masks and hand sanitisers for staff to use and they are placed strategically across the terminal.”
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