In a statement, the Health Ministry has said that laboratory testing for COVID-19 is being performed for patients who are suffering from acute respiratory tract infection with sudden onset of cough, fever or shortness of breath and who have been in countries within which local transmission of COVID-19 has been reported in the previous 14 days.

This is being carried out in line with the recommendation issued by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the Ministry said.

It went on to explain that the authorities are following developments and monitoring the evolving global situation of COVID-19 closely, and surveillance and containment measures for the outbreak of COVID-19 are continuously being enhanced.

These countries and regions include:

Western Pacific Region

China, including Hong Kong

Republic of Korea

Japan

Singapore

Australia

Malaysia

Vietnam

European Region

Italy

France

Germany

Spain

The UK

Norway

Croatia

Netherlands

San Marino

South East Asian Region

Thailand

Eastern Mediterranean Region

Iran

United Arab Emirates

Region of the Americas

Canada

United States of America

The Ministry advised that people with these symptoms who have returned from these countries within the last 14 days should call their doctor or the COVID-19 helpline on 21324086.

They are advised to refrain from visiting doctors’ clinics, health centres or the casualty department in the first instance.

The recommendation for self-quarantine remains for those countries and regions where there is high sustained transmission which are as previously notified:

Northern part of Italy – Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto and Emilia Romagna

China, including Hong Kong

Singapore

Japan

Iran

South Korea.

The Ministry is also advising the public to take the necessary precautions for prevention of respiratory infections:

Clean: Clean hands often by washing with soap and water or using alcohol hand rub.

Contain: Contain germs by staying at home if unwell; do not go to work or school until one is better. Do not visit patients in hospital if you are sick.

Cover: Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze into bare hands. Do not leave tissues running around

Do not sneeze or cough into your hands as you may contaminate objects or people that you touch.

For more information, the general public can call the COVID-19 helpline on 21324086 or visit the website.

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