MALAYSIA has adequate equipment to detect anyone carrying the deadly novel coronavirus from entering the country, said Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Speaking to reporters after visiting klia2 this evening, Wan Azizah assured that passengers displaying flu-like symptoms will be detected.

“We have four scanners at three locations at two airports. The Finance Ministry did say that it will provide extra budget to buy new equipment such as body temperature scanners, but at the moment we have enough.

“At the moment what we have is enough. We have the special body temperature scanners. It is within our capabilities (to detect symptoms),” she said.

Wan Azizah also said each visitor from China, including Malaysians coming back from the country, will be thoroughly checked.

“I am here to witness how the process of scanning and screening passengers are being done. I am satisfied and I am confident that we are able to deal with the problem.

“Everyone from China and our people coming from the country will be inspected.

“They will have their body temperature scanned as well as for other flu-like symptoms. If they need to be quarantined, we will have to hold them first for further checks.

“Our men and women at the frontline are risking themselves 24 hours a day. I would like to thank them all for their dedication,” Wan Azizah added.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government will hold talks with China on repatriating the 78 Malaysians stuck in Wuhan, the epicentre of a novel coronavirus outbreak that is alarming global health authorities.

Malaysia has confirmed seven cases of infection, all Chinese nationals.

The three latest cases involve a 4-year-old child being treated in the isolation ward of Sultanah Maliha Hospital, Langkawi, a 52-year-old man in the isolation ward of Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Baru and a woman.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister’s Department announced that Chinese nationals from Hubei province, where Wuhan is the capital, are temporarily barred from entering Malaysia.

The death toll from the virus outbreak has risen to 131, with authorities in central Hubei province reporting 25 new fatalities and 840 new cases. Nearly 6,000 have been infected with the virus according to Chinese authorities. – January 29, 2020.