NO decision has been made so far to restrict flights from China to Malaysia despite the World Health Organisation (WHO) having announced a public health emergency of international concern over the global outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said any decision on the matter should be made jointly by the cabinet, taking into account the Health Ministry’s directive.

“So far we have not blocked any flights from China. What is being implemented in Sabah is that Chinese nationals flying from China are not allowed to enter Sabah. It’s a decision by the Sabah cabinet,” he told reporters after visiting and exhibition on the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) project alignment in Seremban today.

Asked whether measures to restrict flights from China would be considered by the government, Loke said the government would have to look into the various implications first.

“There are many implications. We cannot simply block flights from China because we have Malaysian citizens in China and there are also many Chinese nationals in Malaysia. If we block the flights, many will be stranded.

“As of now, the Health Ministry has taken precautionary measures to check on the health of passengers arriving from China, but we will also monitor closely to see the daily development,” he said.

The declaration by WHO on the public health emergency was made after an  Emergency Committee Meeting held in Geneva early today on the potential of the virus spreading  to countries with weaker health systems and which are ill-prepared to deal with it.

Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Christina Liew yesterday announced the suspension of all scheduled and chartered flights from China to Sabah with immediate effect to safeguard the health and welfare of the people in the state.

Meanwhile, Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Darwis Abdul Razak said 13 ECRL Chinese national workers who went back to Wuhan for the Chinese New Year celebrations had been advised to postpone their return to Malaysia.

“This is a precautionary measure following the outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan, China. We asked them to postpone their return and gave them special leave until the situation improves,” he added. – Bernama, January 31, 2020.