South Korea tourists still welcomed despite MERS scare - Nazri

Malaysia will still welcome tourists from South Korea despite the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak that has affected the country, said Culture and Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz.

He told reporters today that the Malaysian airport has its own screening system which could identify tourists who are infected with the disease.

“I have been told that we have not sent out any notice to not allow the South Koreans to come down, we welcome them.

“In our own airport we have screening, so there’s nothing to worry, the Koreans are welcomed to come here,” he said in a press conference at the Parliamentary lobby, Wednesday.

According to Nazri, this is not the first time such thing has happened and that Malaysia is quite good in handling this sort of situation.

“It’s not like this is the first time such thing happened. Before this we had the avian flu and all that… it’s not something new. We are quite experienced in dealing such matter,” he said.

He said even in those days, the government has never barred tourists from visiting the country.

“The only thing is that we have to be more mindful. For example we have to screen them and all that,” Nazri said.

Nevertheless, the Padang Rengas (BN) MP said that his scheduled visit to South Korea had to be cancelled due to the outbreak.

He said, this is because the place that he is going is infected with MERS and going there means that he will be exposing himself.

He said in airport, the screening system can filters those who are infected but going to the country itself leaves you at risk.

“Certainly when I go there I’ll be at the exhibition and I will mixing with lots of people and I will be talking to many people.

“I’ll be exposing myself. That’s why I have been advised by the Health Ministry to avoid (going there),” he said.

READ: South Korea reports 7th MERS death, vows to end crisis

READ: MERS: Malaysians advised not to visit South Korea

Yesterday, South Korea reported its seventh death from MERS as the government -- concerned about the economic impact, AFP reported.

Eight new infections brought the total number of cases to 95 in the largest outbreak outside Saudi Arabia, following the diagnosis of the first patient back on May 20.