TRAVEL ban to curb the spread of epidemics can create a false sense of security, said academician Dr Khor Swee Kheng, adding that there is no evidence to support the effectiveness of the move.

Dr Khor, who is Universiti Malaya’s senior fellow of health systems and policies, said it is impossible to secure borders and prevent movement of people as authorities work to contain the spread of Covid-19.

He added it is also possible for people to enter from countries not on the blacklist.

If “self-sustaining human transmission” already exists within a country, locking down borders will bring little benefits, he said.

“It creates a false sense of security (that) the infected person is not here, therefore we don’t have to wash our hands, don’t have to vaccinate our children, don’t have to take care of our own health. False sense of security is also very dangerous,” he said at the Isis international Forum titled The Science, Politics and Geopolitics of Coronavirus in Kuala Lumpur today.

He added that a travel ban comes with diplomatic and economic challenges as well as a cost to national reputation. 

Meanwhile, a travel ban could potentially work in soothing panic, giving the impression that the government is responsive to public demands.

“It provides the impression that the government is very responsive, allowing it to gain a bit of legitimacy.”

However, he said there is a lack of evidence to show the effectiveness of travel ban in curbing an epidemic.

As such, he said experts such as the World Health Organisation do not endorse it.

Dr Khor, who has worked on the frontlines during the H1N1 outbreak, said Malaysia can consider Singapore’s move of incentivising those who quarantined themselves amid the Covid-19 outbreak.

The Singaporean government said it will provide financial help by giving S$100 (RM298) for each day of quarantine.

“Self-quarantine and limiting contact for 14 days are steps a responsible citizen will do. In fact, many Malaysians are already doing that.”

Meanwhile on the repatriation of Malaysians from Wuhan, Dr Khor said while the government has fulfilled its responsibility of caring for its citizens, there are concerns of the spread of Covid-19. – February 17, 2020.