MALINDO Air has confirmed that seven of its crew members have been quarantined in Zhengzhou, China, as a precautionary measure.

The seven had been on a Zhengzhou-Kuala Lumpur flight on January 24, where a passenger from Hubei province was on board, the airlines said in a statement posted on Facebook.

The passenger is suspected of contracting the novel coronavirus, which originated in Hubei province’s capital, Wuhan.

The virus has killed 56 people and left thousands ill across the world. Malaysia has four confirmed cases of infection.

“Malindo Air is closely monitoring the situation and providing all necessary assistance to the crew as well as authorities in China, to minimise the spread of the coronavirus,” the airline said.

“As we speak, proactive screening of passengers on the ground and tighter control over the movement of our passengers for all flights to and from Mainland China are ongoing.

“All Chinese passengers from Hubei province (as shown in passport) must produce (a) medical certificate to prove that they are fit to fly.

“Passengers who are found unfit to travel will be denied boarding the flight,” Malindo Air said.

Malaysia has four confirmed cases of the virus, all of whom are Chinese nationals that travelled here.

On January 23, Malindo Air and AirAsia had suspended flights to Wuhan. – January 26, 2020.