PASSENGERS arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport today said their temperatures were not checked, as Malaysia embarked on its second day of a movement control order to curtail the spread of Covid-19.

People interviewed by The Malaysian Insight outside the arrival hall also said there was scant information on posters or banners on the requirement for all citizens to self-quarantine themselves upon returning from abroad.

However, at the KLIA terminal passengers coming through international arrivals were given a health alert card with the quarantine advice.

Their temperatures were not checked but they were given a brief questionnaire to answer when they showed their passports at Immigration, which they had to fill in and return to the immigration officer.

A passenger arriving from London, who only wanted to be known as Lee, 20, said the questionnaire asked passengers if they had visited China, Italy, Iran or Spain recently, the countries with the highest number of Covid-19 infections and death rates.

“I didn’t see any thermal scanners. They only asked me to fill up the form,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Lee added that he did not see any prominent signs asking people to practice self-quarantine upon arriving in Malaysia, but the immigration officer who checked his passport told him to do so.

“After I returned the form, I was given a health alert card saying that I have to quarantine myself for 14 days and that I must visit the nearest hospital if I develop any symptoms,” Lee added.

Student Muhammad Yusof, 24, who returned from Egypt, said he had the same experience as Lee.

“No thermal scanners and no thermometer gun checks were done on arriving passengers. Just the questionnaire form and a card by the Health Ministry advising self-quarantine.

“Apart from that, nothing. You can just walk out of the arrival hall,” he said.

Muhammad said the absence of temperature checks on arriving passengers was risky given the rapid spread of Covid-19.

Malaysia, as of yesterday recorded 110 new cases today, bringing the total to 900. Two deaths have been recorded so far.

Twenty patients are in intensive care and need respiratory support.

“You never know who is sick and who isn’t. What if someone has the virus but doesn’t know, or doesn’t declare truthfully on the form. We shouldn’t take such risks,” Muhammad added.

People arriving at klia2 spoke of a similar situation, and that they were not event asked for their travel history.

Edwin, 37, who had just returned from the Philippines with his wife, said no temperature checks were made at the arrival terminal.

He said he saw thermal imaging cameras, but there was no one manning them.

“I think I saw the thermal scanner as I walked past but didn’t see anyone monitoring it.

“I was just given a health advice card, which said I should self-quarantine for 14 days,” he said.

Another passenger Mohd Ashraf, 24, who did not say from where he had travelled, said his temperature was taken at his departure point, but it was not checked on arrival at klia2.

“The airport is place where a lot of people come every day. Even with the government’s restrictions, people still travel.

“So, the authorities must do a proper job to prevent the spread,” Ashraf said.

On Monday, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin issued a movement control order, which came into effect yesterday, restricting all gatherings and prohibits people from leaving their homes except to buy food, supplies and for medical emergencies.

Under the order, which ends on March 31, Malaysians are banned from travelling abroad during this period, and those returning must undergo health screenings and self-quarantine for 14 days.

Foreigners, except for diplomats, expatriates, permanent residents and those working in essential services, are not allowed to enter the country. – March 19, 2020.