Quarantined Malindo crew safe, in good spirits, says airline

PETALING JAYA: Six crew members who have been quarantined in Zhengzhou, China due to the coronavirus outbreak are "safe and in good spirits", according to Malindo Air.

The airline said that it received daily updates from its staff based in Zhengzhou, China, where the six have been quarantined as a precautionary measure.

"Our crew members are safe, taken care of and in good spirits but still under quarantine until further advised by the local health authorities," a spokesman when contacted on Monday.

The six crew members were on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Zhengzhou on Friday (Jan 24), with a passenger from Hubei province on board, who is suspected of contracting the Wuhan coronavirus, it said in a Facebook post on Sunday (Jan 26).

The airline said it is closely monitoring the situation and will provide necessary assistance to the crew as well as authorities in China, to minimise the spread of the coronavirus.

On Jan 23, Malindo Air and AirAsia cancelled all flights to Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak.

It was reported that 14 Malaysians and nine foreigners have been classified as Patient-Under Investigation for the novel coronavirus, according to the Health Ministry.

Authorities have also beefed up necessary measures to counter the infection, including 51 thermal detection scanners at all entry points into Malaysia.

The Finance Ministry has also given its commitment to provide the necessary funds to step up surveillance.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail had urged Malaysians not to panic as the situation is under control.

She reminded all to maintain good personal hygiene and urged those with symptoms to go to a hospital immediately for a check-up.