COMMENT | As the nation prepares to face the deadly novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), also known as the "Wuhan virus" as it originated from the city of Wuhan in China, Seniman president and erstwhile Umno member and supporter Zed Zaidi tweeted a photo which says “Breaking news: All countries have banned Chinese tourists except Malaysia”.

This is of course, false. As it stands, no country in the world has completely banned Chinese tourists from entering its borders. Except, possibly, North Korea. But North Korea does what it wants, without much regard to international treaties or even conventions.

In fact, the government can only impose a total travel ban if the World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified a particular virus as a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)". WHO has not declared the Wuhan virus as PHEIC.

The government has however suspended immigration facilities for Chinese visitors from Wuhan and the larger Hubei province, areas most affected by the virus.

According to Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad the Wuhan virus is under control in Malaysia. However, according to him, the more critical issue is the spread of viral fake news on the issue.

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