Six Johor entry points ramp up Zika screening

SINGAPORE — Six entry points into Johor are stepping up health screening after the detection of the Zika virus here.

The Johor Health and Environment committee has deployed extra teams from the state’s health and immigration departments to work around the clock at the six locations conducting checks, according to The Star on Wednesday (Aug 31).

The six entry points affected by the enhanced checks are Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex, Sultan Abu Bakar CIQ, Port of Tanjung Pelepas, Johor Port, Stulang Laut Ferry Terminal and Puteri Harbour Ferry Terminal.

Johor Health and Environment committee chairman Ayub Rahmat said on Tuesday that “visitors entering or exiting via any of the six entry points will have to pass a screening device to check their body temperature”.

Those registering a body temperature of above 37°C will have to undergo a health examination, he added.

Mr Ayub also advised motorists to spray the inside of their vehicles with insecticide as an extra preventative measure.

He said an estimated 50,000 vehicles enter and exit through the Sultan Iskandar CIQ Complex each day.

“While we do not want people to take the Zika issue lightly, we also do not want to cause panic,” he said.