PUTRAJAYA will not restrict any festival or convention despite the novel coronavirus outbreak from China, said Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. 

This includes Thaipusam, which falls on February 8.

The deputy prime minister said that there is no directive from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to countries to restrict large gatherings of people.

“We will look at the developments first. If WHO issues a directive to stop large gatherings, then we will issue a notice,” she said during a visit to the Health Ministry’s crisis centre on the novel coronavirus in Putrajaya. 

Wan Azizah was asked about the Thaipusam festival, which is observed by Hindus and involves large crowds gathered in a procession to the Batu Caves temple

Thaipusam commemorates the act of Goddess Parvati giving her son Lord Muruga, also known as Lord Subramaniam, a lance to vanquish evil and restore peace.

Wan Azizah also said that there will be no restrictions on activities at schools.

She said that as of 2pm today there are still seven confirmed cases of the coronavirus, all Chinese nationals.

“They have tested patients under investigation, 74 of which are negative for the virus, while eight are still pending their results.”

As for the 78 people that Malaysia plans to bring back from Wuhan, Wan Azizah said that they will be quarantined upon arrival.

“We have our standard operating procedure. We have to ensure no one is exposed.

“We have to ensure that all Malaysians and their environment is safe, and also the wellbeing” of those quarantined.

Earlier, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Putrajaya will hold talks with China on repatriating the Malaysians stuck in Wuhan.

Malaysia is seeking China’s permission to allow those who are not sick to return. – January 29, 2020.