JOHOR has decided to postpone all major public events scheduled for this month due to the spread of the novel coronavirus 2019 (2019-nCoV) .

Menteri Besar Dr Sahruddin Jamal said among the programmes are the International Kite Festival set for February 26 to March 1, and pre-Malaysia Games (Sukma) event Semarak Juara Carnival 2020 that is to be held on February 15.

He said the decision was made to avoid the spread of the virus.

“The decision  was taken based on several factors such as risk assessment on human health, virus transmission on a big scale at public assemblies and lack of supervising ability with existing resources.

“Apart from that, the state government also advises organisers of other big events, such as the Chingay Parade Festival, Thaipusam celebration and Maulidur Rasul parade, to delay their programmes or reduce the number of participants,” he told a press conference at his office in Kota Iskandar today.

The novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak which started in Wuhan, China has since spread around the globe, including Malaysia and Singapore, with more than 24,000 confirmed cases and 492 deaths reported so far.

As of today, Malaysia recorded 12 positive cases of the virus.

Out of this figure, nine cases involved Chinese citizens and three are Malaysians.

Johor’s neighbour Singapore has reported 24 cases thus far. – Bernama, February 5, 2020.