FOURTEEN tourists from Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak, were refused entry into Malaysia on Tuesday, said Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Speaking to reporters at the police headquarters in Bukit Aman this morning, Muhyiddin said the 14 were sent back to China.

“On January 28, 14 Chinese nationals who were travelling to Malaysia were barred after we issued an order not to allow anyone from Wuhan or the Hubei province to enter.

“We sent them back to China following our SOP,” he said.

Last week, the Prime Minister’s Department said Chinese nationals from the Hubei province, of which Wuhan is the capital, are temporarily barred from entering Malaysia.

The Pagoh MP later reminded the public not to share unverified news on social media platforms.

“I am reminding the public not to spin or to share fake news on social media. I have read several of them and we must not play with fake news as it is not good for nation.

“Do not create panic. Our authorities have so far detained several individuals for spreading fake news.”

Yesterday, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in a statement said that they have so far arrested five individuals for allegedly spreading fake news on the coronavirus outbreak. – January 30, 2020.