Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) has successfully produced a new product that allows temperature screening to be carried out without physical contact in an effort to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Its Research Management and Innovation Centre (RMIC)'s Research Management Division director Dr Abdul Hafidz Yusoff said the integrated system called 'UMK V-Integrated Screening System' or UMK-VISS was developed by researchers from the Faculty of Biotechnology and Technology led by Dr Sarizam Mamat.

"If previously the service of the security guard was needed to screen the temperature, but with the use of this innovation, it allows UMK residents to go through UMK-VISS only and the temperature reading will be displayed on the screen.

"If the temperature exceeds 37.5 Celsius, the buzzer will ring and the individual will not be allowed into the UMK campus", he said in a statement here today.

The product, he said, combines three main elements in one system, namely face detector, body temperature check and automatic disinfectant.

It will smooth the health screening process, in line with the enrolment of UMK students who will continue their studies in October as well as to reduce human contact.

He said that the automatic disinfectant system will release sanitiser by holding out the palms and this will prevent infection through contact during hand sanitising process.

"UMK residents no longer have to squeeze the bottle by hand, instead this system will produce disinfectant liquid produced by UMK researchers based on the standards and formulations issued by the World Health Organization (WHO).

"However, at the same time, all other preventive measures such as social distancing, frequent hand washing, wearing face masks, avoiding crowded areas must be practiced by all staff while working in the office", he said.

He said that apart from the use at UMK itself, the health screening tool will also be suitable for other locations, including hospitals, health clinics, police stations and other government departments.

-- BERNAMA