Penang is calm and under control - CM
CORONAVIRUS | Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has assured that Penang is "calm and under control" and fully prepared to handle the 2019 novel coronavirus infection, which has affected seven people in the country.
At a press conference today, Chow said all security agencies including the state health department, have been asked to upgrade their level of preparedness at the two main entry points into the island.
CORONAVIRUS | Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has assured that Penang is "calm and under control" and fully prepared to handle the novel coronavirus which has affected seven people in the country.
At a press conference in George Town today, Chow said all security agencies including the state health department have been asked to upgrade their level of preparedness at the two main entry points into the island.
The entry points are at the Penang International Airport and the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal.
"So far passenger screening has been conducted well at this point," Chow said.
He said this after chairing a meeting attended by various state agencies including the police, army, the Immigration Department, customs and the Health Department.
Chow said the state Health Department is responsible for issuing any information related to the coronavirus in Penang.
"All levels of society are urged to refer to verified sources and accurate information issued by the state health department and the Ministry of Health.
"Do not be easily influenced by information that is viralised via social media especially Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter and others.
"Also refrain from spreading any speculation or fake news which can create panic," he said.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and police had yesterday nabbed an individual who has allegedly spread fake news about the virus.
The person is being investigated under section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act which provides for a year in jail and a maximum fine of RM50,000, or both.
Chow said everyone needs to obey all the directives issued by the Health Ministry from time to time.
Should the situation become more critical, it would be categorised as an infectious disease disaster, he added.
He said the state Disaster Management Committee will be mobilised in accordance with the Disaster Directive Guide No. 20 (National Disaster Management Policies and Mechanisms) if the outbreak comes to a critical stage.
The committee is chaired by the state secretary of state and the Department of Civil Defence, Chow added.
"The National Disaster Management Agency and other members of the committee will co-operate with the state Health Department to coordinate an integrated action involving various agencies to address the spread of coronavirus infections in the state," Chow said.
The CM said Penang government welcomes Putrajaya's temporary suspension of all immigration facilities such as visa on arrival, e-visas and manual visas for Chinese nationals from Wuhan city and the Hubei province.
"There will also be action taken against any party (trader) who unreasonably raises the price of face masks.
"Therefore, I urge all wholesalers, traders and pharmacies in the state to comply with the maximum face mask price allocation set by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs in this regard," Chow added.
Meanwhile, Health director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah dismissed a rumour that those who tested negative for coronavirus in Penang had, in fact, not been tested at all.
"Not true. All specimens were sent (for testing)," he told Malaysiakini in a brief message.
All coronavirus-related lab tests are done at the Institute of Medical Research in Kuala Lumpur or at the National Public Health Laboratory in Sungai Buloh.
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