PUTRAJAYA: The Foreign Ministry has advised Malaysians to defer all non-essential travel to Wuhan and other areas that may be affected by the recent new coronavirus outbreak, known as the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-Ncov).
Following China's decision to suspend outbound travels from Wuhan effective Thursday (Jan 23), it said Malaysians residing or travelling in the affected areas were advised to give utmost priority to their own health and safety by taking precautionary measures and adhere to instructions issued by the local authorities.
"The ministry has also taken note of the decision by several airlines to suspend their flights to and from Wuhan starting from Thursday until further notice," the ministry said in a statement.
Malaysians who require consular assistance and services can contact the nearest Malaysian diplomatic missions in China.
The list of the Malaysian embassies and consulates-general are:
* Embassy of Malaysia in Beijing:
https://www.kln.gov.my/web/chn_beijing/home;
* Consulate-General of Malaysia in Guangzhou:
https://www.kln.gov.my/web/chn_guangzhou/home;
* Consulate-General of Malaysia in Hong Kong:
https://www.kln.gov.my/web/chn_hong-kong/home;
* Consulate-General of Malaysia in Kunming:
https://www.kln.gov.my/web/chn_kunming/home;
* Consulate-General of Malaysia in Nanning:
https://www.kln.gov.my/web/chn_nanning/home,
* Consulate-General of Malaysia in Shanghai:
https://www.kln.gov.my/web/chn_shanghai/home;
* Consulate-General of Malaysia in Xi’an:
https://www.kln.gov.my/web/chn_xian/home; and,
* Malaysian Friendship and Trade Centre, Taipei:
https://www.kln.gov.my/web/twn_taipei/home.
Meanwhile, AFP reported that Wuhan, the Chinese city at the heart of the deadly virus outbreak had been placed under effective quarantine, with outward flights and trains suspended, subways halted and large public events cancelled as doctors in full-body protective suits treat patients.
It said the coronavirus had spread across China and beyond, with 17 people killed and more than 500 infected.
Wuhan is a central city of 11 million people and has been described by state media as “the main battlefield” against the disease.