Suspend direct flights from Wuhan call

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Joniston

KOTA KINABALU: The State Government has been urged to exercise greater caution and responsibility in handling the outbreak of the mysterious Coronavirus in Wuhan and seriously consider suspending all daily direct flights from the Chinese city to Sabah.

“There are already four Coronavirus related deaths and 198 confirmed cases reported in Wuhan and this is reason enough for us to be concerned,” said Kiulu assemblyman and PBS information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai..

“Why are we putting ourselves at risk by allowing these Wuhan flights to continue to come into Kota Kinabalu, a gateway to the rest of the state?” he asked.

Joniston said Sabah Health and People’s Wellbeing Ministry should take the bull by the horns and strongly advised the State Government to suspend these direct flights from high risk areas where there is a deadly viral outbreak.

“Till today, we are not sure what this ministry does. Does this ministry have a function or was it set up simply for window dressing?

“It is also disheartening to note that the State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Christina Liew said her ministry officials will study whether there is a need for measures to be taken on the Kota Kinabalu-Wuhan flight services following the mysterious pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan.

“Why is she not taking a more decisive and aggressive stand in dealing with a potential time bomb?” he asked.

“I seriously hope that the tourism ministry is not more concerned about how its tourism figures will look by year end than the safety and health of the people.

“We also expect the health authorities who have installed thermal scanners at Kota Kinabalu International airport & other airports in the state are vigilant in monitoring the health condition of all visitors coming in especially those from high risk areas,” Joniston said.