MALAYSIAN airports are using high-tech scanning equipment instead of close-up approach to detect passengers with higher body temperature, said Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong.

“Not all airports are using the close-up approach by pointing tools to the forehead or ear as they usually do at the entrance of a building.

“At KLIA and klia2, thermal scanners have been installed and are more sophisticated tools for measuring body temperature,” he said in a Facebook post.

The transport minister was responding to an article in The Malaysian Insight where returning overseas passengers alleged they were not subjected to temperature checks upon arrival.

Malaysian Airport Holdings Bhd (MAHB) had refuted the claims, saying international arrivals at the country’s airports are being screened for fever and passengers might not have been aware of the thermal scanners they passed through.

Wee assured that MAHB have not exempted any passengers from screening.

He also said he had informed his secretary-general Isham Ishak to visit the airports and personally check if the screening is being carried out.

“It is confirmed by MAHB that no passenger is exempted from health screening.

“I have already asked secretary-general Isham to visit KLIA today and conduct his own survey,” he said.

A movement control order is in effect, restricting all gatherings and people from leaving their homes except to buy food and supplies, and for medical emergencies, as the country fights to control the spread of the coronavirus.

Under the order, which ends on March 31, Malaysians are banned from travelling 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.

The Covid-19 have so far claimed three lives and infected more than 1,000 others in Malaysia.

Worldwide, the figure currently stands at more than 250,000 infected and more than 9,000 dead. – March 21, 2020.