SHAH ALAM, Jan 29 — The Federal government will not limit any festival or mass gatherings despite the novel coronavirus outbreak from China, The Malaysian Insight reported today.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said this includes the Thaipusam celebration, which falls on February 8.
She said the World Health Organisation (WHO) had not issued any directives to countries on the restriction of public mass gatherings.
“We will look at the developments first. If WHO issues a directive to stop large gatherings, then we will issue a notice,” she was quoted to have said during a visit to the Health Ministry’s crisis centre on coronavirus in Putrajaya today.
Dr Wan Azizah was asked by the media on whether the Federal government intends to dissuade Malaysians from attending mass gatherings ahead of Thaipusam celebrations, due to concerns stemming from the coronavirus outbreak.
Also present were Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, deputy minister Dr Lee Boon Chye and Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
As of Wednesday morning, Malaysia has confirmed seven coronavirus cases involving Chinese citizens.
Chinese medical experts said the coronavirus can be passed through air transmission as well as between humans through close contact.
According to WHO, coronavirus, which was identified as a new virus by Chinese authorities on January 7 originating in Wuhan, China, is a family of viruses that include the common cold and causes respiratory illness.
