China coronavirus outbreak: Malaysia on ‘high alert’ ahead of Lunar New Year travel rush

Thermal scanners being used at Kuala Lumpur International Airport to detect traces of the disease

Announcement comes as millions of Chinese prepare to travel for Lunar New Year and follows WHO confirmation the virus has spread to Japan and Thailand

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Travellers from Wuhan in China pass body temperature scanners at Narita airport in Japan. Following the spread of the virus to Japan, Malaysia says it is on ‘high alert’. Photo: Kyodo

Published: 7:07pm, 20 Jan 2020Updated: 1:01am, 19 Mar 2020

Malaysian health authorities say they are on high alert following the outbreak of the China coronavirus.

Health Ministry director general Noor Hisham Abdullah said thermal scanners were being used to screen travellers at border points.

“Our preparedness and response team at all international entry points and health facilities particularly the Kuala Lumpur International Airport health office are on high alert following the Wuhan novel coronavirus outbreak.

Malaysia is on high alert for the China coronavirus. Photo: Shutterstock

“The thermal scanners and the Health Quarantine Centre at the KLIA terminal are prepared and on high surveillance.

“The roles played by these various health units at the airport and also other international entry points are very important in safeguarding the country from various potential communicable diseases from high-risk areas,” he said on Monday.

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