JOHOR BARU: Tourism industry players in Johor are heaving a sigh of relief now that the Health Ministry is taking proactive moves to safeguard the country following the recent detection of monkeypox in Singapore.

       Malaysia Tour Guides Association president Jimmy Leong said the tourism sector does not need another recurrence of another pandemic such as Covid-19, which has left an impact that is still being felt today.

       “Singapore recently detected a monkeypox case involving a traveller, and with the volume of people coming into our country through gateways including the Causeway and Second Link, we should take precautionary measures.

       “We do not want a repeat of another pandemic, and it is a wise move by the ministry as it will make people more aware and vigilant about monkeypox,” he said.

       Leong added that precautionary measures in place would provide some form of assurance to foreign travellers who intend to come to Malaysia.

       “It will definitely boost the confidence of travellers that Malaysia has taken the required steps to safeguard people from monkeypox and other diseases, including Covid-19,” he added.

       Johor South SME Association adviser Teh Kee Sin said that Covid-19 has given Malaysia and its people the experience of further curbing the spread of other diseases such as monkeypox.

       He added that the ministry’s moves were welcome as monkeypox should not be taken lightly.

       “Whatever the measures taken by the government, economic activities should not be overlooked as we have seen how badly small and medium enterprises were affected during Covid-19,” he said.

       On Wednesday, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said although no cases of monkeypox have been reported in the country, authorities are staying alert and taking precautions.

       “Among the steps taken are procedures for tracking and notifying cases, sampling, investigation and case management as well as close contact and monitoring at international gateways like airports,” Khairy said.

       In a video uploaded through his TikTok account, he said the Health Ministry added the health alert for monkeypox in the MySejahtera app on May 27.

       After a traveller fills out the pre-departure form in MySejahtera, those arriving from monkeypox endemic countries or from countries that have reported cases will receive an alert to monitor for any symptoms.

       “For those who are travelling abroad, especially to countries with monkeypox cases, always be vigilant and careful,” he said.

       Among the symptoms of monkeypox are acute rashes, fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, muscle and body aches, back pain, and profound weakness.