Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari said the opening of the centres had been discussed since the early stages of the spread of the virus outside Malaysia, as Selangor serves as the main gateway for international tourists, including those from China.

“The state government has identified several suitable places to serve as quarantine centres, and we are ready to open them when required,” he told reporters after attending a meet-and-greet event organised by the Federation of Hokkien Associations of Malaysia here.

He was commenting on the case of a 41-year-old man from Selangor who has become the first Malaysian to be infected by the coronavirus.

The Malaysian had travelled to Singapore from Jan 16 to 23 to attend a conference with international delegates, including those from China.

In SEREMBAN, tourists entering Port Dickson through cruise ships will undergo health screening to ensure they are free of the coronavirus.

Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun said the authorities such as the Immigration Department, health ministry, Marine Department, police, state tourism department and the Civil Defence Force, are ready to carry out the screening.

“This month, we have cruise ships (that will dock in Port Dickson) and we are ready,” he told reporters after chairing the state executive council meeting here today.

Aminuddin said he was informed that several cruise ships are scheduled to dock at Port Dickson on Feb 20 and 27, and March 5, 12 and 26, with a fewer number of Chinese tourists on board.