Abang Johari (seated third right) speaking to reporters during the press conference today. – Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi.
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is contemplating tightening the state’s entry points, especially in the northern parts of the state following the Wuhan Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak in China.
According to him, the state government is concerned that tourists who have visited the areas where the virus has been detected like China, will enter the state through places like Sungai Tujoh (Brunei).
“The arrival of tourists from China to Sabah who mostly used chartered flights also worries us as they might go on to travel to Sarawak, which is why we must make sure that visitors from Sabah and Brunei must also be screened,” he added during a press conference held after a durian eating event held at Kampung Temedak, Jalan Patingan here today.
Abang Johari took the opportunity to assure Sarawakians that state is viewing matter seriously and will be vigilant in preventing the 2019-nCoV from spreading in Sarawak.
He said the state government is currently working to come up with measures and budget to tackle the issue.
“Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) was also tasked with holding a meeting to discuss the matter and also identify what is needed for us should there be any cases of such 2019-nCoV virus being detected in the state,” he said.
In noting that facilities like quarantine rooms or clean rooms are among the things required, Abang Johari hoped that the private sector would lend a helping hand in providing such facilities.
The 2019-nCoV is known to have a two weeks incubation period and detecting a person who has contracted the virus in its early stages could be difficult and facilities to screen a person who have contracted the virus is difficult to obtain.
It will also be difficult to detect anyone who was contracted the virus during the early stages, thus there is a need for the state to be on guard at all times and monitor visitors to the state at all of Sarawak’s entry points.
As for now, Abang Johari advised Sarawakians to be extra careful and take precautionary measures. He also advised Sarawakians to refrain from visiting China at the moment.