KUALA LUMPUR: The government has yet to restrict international cruise ships from docking at ports in the country as concerns grow over the deadly novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke, however, said measures are in place to contain the spread of the outbreak, which thus far has killed more than 600 people in China.
The measures, he said, include health screening – such as temperature checks – to ensure that tourists coming into the country are free of symptoms related to the virus.
“We have not banned any cruise ships (from docking in the country).
“Having that said, we (the Transport and Health Ministries) have implemented measures such as checking the temperature of tourists (to prevent the spread of the virus),” he told reporters here, today.
Reuters reported on Feb 6 that the health authority in Taiwan banned all international cruise ships from docking at the island from Thursday.
The ban was imposed amid the increasing threat of the spread of the virus after 61 people tested positive on a quarantined cruise liner in Japan.
The report said that many tourists aboard the Japanese cruise ship had entered Taiwan for a day-trip when the vessel anchored at its northern port of Keelung on Jan 31.
The AFP recently reported that cruise lines worldwide have denied boarding to passengers and crew who have recently travelled to China.
The report quoted a statement by the Cruise Lines International Association (Clia) that said its members are taking extra precautions to prevent an outbreak of the virus on board cruise ships, where infections can spread rapidly.
According to the report, Clia represents some of the world's largest and best-known cruise lines, including TUI, Aida, MSC, Costa, Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruises.
When asked if the government would restrict all flights coming from China to Malaysia, Loke said that such a move must be made based on evidence and recommendations by the Health Ministry.
He said in the meantime, all measures that have been implemented, including restricting the entry of Chinese tourists from Wuhan and Hubei province, still apply.
“(And as announced by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail) the travel restriction will also be imposed on Chinese tourists from cities and provinces that have been locked-down by China.
“We are working closely and seek the advice of the Health Ministry in introducing measures (to control the spread of 2019-nCoV),” he added.