Ministry warns against Novel Coronavirus fake news
Ministry warns against Novel Coronavirus fake news
The Health Ministry is calling on police to take legal action against anyone spreading fake news about the deadly novel coronavirus after some flights to China were suspended.
“Police must take legal action against the dissemination of fake news…making people confused and frightened,” Health Minister Mam Bun Heng said. “I would like to say that as of [yesterday afternoon], Cambodia has not yet found any new cases of the virus.”
On Monday, the Health Ministry announced that the first case of Novel Coronavirus was detected on a 60-year-old Chinese national Jia Jianhua, who is now being quarantined at the Preah Sihanouk Provincial Referral Hospital.
“Doctors are continuing to monitor Mr Jia for up to 14 days until the virus is completely gone from his body,” Mr Bun Heng said, adding the ministry will work with provincial authorities to educate citizens on how to prevent a coronavirus infection.
According to media reports, police and military police officers in three provinces detained and cautioned four people who allegedly posted fake news about Chinese nationals contracting the coronavirus in Siem Reap, Pursat and Koh Kong provinces.
Koh Kong Provincial Hall has issued a press release saying two Chinese nationals were checked for the virus after they were suspected of being infected. However, it said doctors cleared them of any infection and the two have returned to China.
Dr Ngy Meng, director of the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital, yesterday confirmed some social media users were spreading fake news about coronavirus patients in his hospital.
“We do not have any coronavirus patients in our hospital,” Dr Meng said.
In addition, nearly half of about 260 weekly flights between Cambodia and China have been suspended to prevent the virus from spreading.
“We currently do not have any flights from Wuhan until the Chinese government announces otherwise,” Sin Chansereyvutha, spokesman for the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, said yesterday. “There are no direct flights from Wuhan to Cambodia, but for other Chinese destinations, flights are still available.”
“However [flights to and from China] have been reduced to about 40 to 50 percent due to concerned tourists not booking as many flights,” Mr Chansereyvutha said.
Rok Ravy, Marketing and branding manager for Cambodia Airways said passengers are shying away from flying to China.
“Some passengers have asked to cancel flights, while others do not board their scheduled flights,” Ms Ravy said. “This issue is impacting our company.”
According to the World Health Organization on Tuesday, it is working with the Chinese government to increase coronavirus prevention measures as both sides strive to learn more about the virus, seek treatment and develop vaccines.
The deadly novel coronavirus was first detected in Wuhan in China’s Hubei province earlier this month.
CNN yesterday referenced China’s National Health Commission saying as of yesterday, there were 5,974 confirmed cases of the virus in mainland China, including 132 deaths.
Source: Khmer Times
(A Facebook user who posted fake news on the spread of coronavirus in Koh Kong province confess at Military Police office.)
