DEPUTY Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail urges Malaysians to keep calm over the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) as the situation is under control.

“Everything is under control, don’t panic,” she said after chairing a high-powered meeting on handling the coronavirus in the country.

“The Health Ministry is working closely with the World Health Organisation and the health ministries of neighbouring countries in relation to the coronavirus,” she added.

She said Malaysia had the capacity to overcome previous epidemics such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Nipah virus and Ebola.

The new coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, Hubei province, has killed 56 people and left almost 2,000 ill.

Malaysia has detected four tourists from the Chinese city as having contracted the virus, and they are being isolated and treated in hospital.

She said more thermal screeners will be added at the Johor-Singapore border.

As for barring the entry of China nationals into the country, she said the situation had not reached a level where such a move was needed.

“We will wait for the cue from WHO,” she said,  adding that China has restricted the movement of its citizens at the epicentre of the outbreak.

She said Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd was also screening passengers.

Dr Wan Azizah also reminded Malaysians not to share unverified information on the virus on social media.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo reminded netizens to be careful when sharing such posts on social media.

He called on the public to refer to the daily updates provided by the Health Ministry. – January 26, 2020.