Wee (center) speaking to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at his Chinese New Year Open House. Also seen was Abdul Karim (right), Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing (second left) and other guests.
KUCHING: Sarawak tourist arrivals might be slightly affected due to the outbreak of 2019 novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) or better known as Wuhan virus in China, said Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Abdul Karim said with spread of the virus, it will slightly affect the tourism industry and hopes that it will pass soon as it can cause tension amongst the people and visitors.
He said this when met at a Chinese New Year Open House today which was hosted by Federation of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions Chinese Associations president Dato Richard Wee.
He added the state government is monitoring the situation and hopes the situation will return to normal soon.
When asked if the state government will enforce entry ban on Chinese nationals and travellers from China, he said it is not necessary for now.
“For now it is not necessary to stop people from China from coming into the State. We don’t need to create unnecessary alarm to the public.”
Meanwhile, Wee said on the trade side, the virus will have minimal impact but on tourism side, it will definitely have an impact.
“Sarawak is a little bit lucky that we are not too dependent on Chinese tourists but I think it will affect Sabah more.”
In Malaysia, the Health Ministry has confirmed that a fourth case of 2019-nCoV has been detected in the country as of yesterday. In China, it has claimed 56 lives, and cases have also been reported in several other countries as far away as the United States, France and Australia.