GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government is taking no chances with the Wuhan flu. It has begun distributing hand sanitizers and surgical masks to help curb the spread of the coronavirus that causes the flu.
The items will be given on a first-come-first-served basis, state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh told journalists through WhatsApp after taking delivery of the items from the supplier today.
Anyone who wants a surgical mask or hand sanitizer can now drop in at The Top, a family entertainment centre located in the Komtar tower.
Like other cities, Penang has reported an acute shortage of masks and sanitizers.
In Seberang Perai, mayor Datuk Rozali Mahmud said, hand sanitizers would be made available to anyone who frequents its local council offices and facilities.
The spots where the sanitizer will be made available are the sports complex in Bertam, as well as any location where a public event is being hosted by the council.
The arrangement will last until after the Thaipusam celebrations on Feb 8.
Rozali also advised those who show symptoms of the flu to avoid crowded places and to seek medical attention immediately.
Meanwhile Kedah hoteliers, stung by a high rate of cancellation, are meeting in Langkawi tomorrow to discuss ways to address the situation.
Eugene Dass, chairman of the Kedah chapter of the Malaysian Association of Hotels, also cautioned hoteliers against over-reacting to the outbreak. “This may just lead to a panic (which is not good for the industry),” he said.
The coronavirus, known scientifically as the 2019-nCoV, is said to have originated from a market in the Chinese city of Wuhan.
About 6,000 people, mostly in China, have already been infected, and as of yesterday, 132 have died. Seven cases have already been reported in Malaysia, all of them Chinese nationals who are visiting the country.
Tourism industry veteran Eric R. Sinnaya said there was a need to create greater awareness about the outbreak to overcome misinformation.
