THE use of disinfection tunnels at schools, companies and public places is not approved by the Health Ministry as they pose potential hazards.

Director-General Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah reiterated advisories by the government and World Health Organisation that such tunnels do not work.

“We’ve looked into the use of this tunnel, and there is no clinical evidence that it is beneficial or can protect people,” he told a daily press briefing on Covid-19 in Putrajaya today.

“Using it is not going to disinfect a person because the virus is inside the body, not on the surface.

“(Any virus) on the surface will be there for only a short period, and (the tunnel) is not adequate.”

He said the chemicals used to spray individuals can cause skin and eye irritation.

“They may also trigger asthma attacks. We do not encourage the use of this tunnel.”

More than half a million forms five and six students resumed classes on Wednesday, when 2,400 schools reopened nationwide.

Deputy Education Minister Muslimin Yahaya yesterday said schools are allowed to improve upon standard operating procedures to curb Covid-19.

In April, a month into the movement-control order, Dr Noor Hisham said the Health Ministry’s health technology evaluation division had received applications for disinfection using tunnels, boxes, chambers, booths, partitions and gates.

The division found none to be adequate to keep a person safe from Covid-19.

The spraying “contact time” of 20 to 30 seconds was also found to be insufficient to deactivate the virus.

The ministry maintains that social distancing, good personal hygiene and the use of masks are the best ways to prevent infection. – June 26, 2020.