Thean Hou Temple hands out free face masks to visitors

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 100,000 face masks have been distributed to those visiting the Thean Hou Temple here as part of the preventive measures to contain the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus.

The temple's management, Selangor and Federal Territory Hainan Association, gave away the masks free of charge to members of the public and tourists on top of installing hand sanitiser dispensers in 12 spots in the famous cultural landmark.

The association president Dr C. Y. Tang said the temple's management wanted to create awareness and to help prevent the spread of the virus, especially as Chinese New Year is a period in which the temple will see many visitors.

"The main purpose of taking such measures is to prevent (the spread of the virus) and to create additional awareness of the disease," he said during a press conference at the temple near here on Saturday (Feb 1).

He added that this was especially important as Thean Hou Temple was a famous tourist destination and a cultural hub and landmark for the Chinese community.

Hand sanitisers, he added, had been placed in locations such as the temple shrine, canteen, corridors and the office for marriage registry.

Despite widespread concerns over the Wuhan coronavirus, Tang said the number of visitors had not gone down, with the numbers expected to match last year's figures which amounted to about 150,000 during Chinese New Year.

"So far, the attendance is still about the same. There have been no signs of panic from members of the public," he said, adding that he believed the public would respond positively to the association's campaign to provide free masks.

The face masks, he added, would also be distributed to SJKC Chiao Nan, which founded by the association, and the Mazu Temple in Meizhou, Fujian.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has now declared the spread of the coronavirus a global emergency.

The declaration of a global emergency means that WHO will be encouraging countries to cooperate as much as possible to coordinate efforts, funds and data to combat the disease.

WHO's Emergency Committee would also be able to recommend travel advisories and to review public health measures put in place by various countries.

Malaysia will also be following WHO's leadership in taking certain measures to contain the epidemic, which includes matters such as travel policies, trade and data sharing.