Coronavirus testing will be carried out on anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness after visiting an expanded list of countries exposed to the outbreak. 

In a statement on Monday, the health ministry said surveillance and containment measures for the Coronavirus were continuously being enhanced. 

Testing will be performed on patients who are suffering from acute respiratory tract infection with sudden onset of coughing, fever or shortness of breath and who have been in countries with outbreaks of the virus in the last 14 days. 

Which countries are on the watchlist? 

Western Pacific region:

China, including Hong Kong 
Republic of Korea
Japan 
Singapore 
Australia 
Malaysia 
Vietnam 

Europe: 

Italy 
France 
Germany 
Spain 
The United Kingdom 
Norway 
Croatia 
Netherlands
San Marino

South East Asia:

Thailand 

Eastern Mediterranean:

Iran 
United Arab Emirates 

Region of the Americas

Canada
United States of America

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. 

Self quarantine countries

The recommendation for self-quarantine remains for those countries and regions where there is high sustained transmission

1. Northern part of Italy - Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto and Emilia Romagna
2. China, including Hong Kong
3. Singapore
4. Japan
5. Iran
6. South Korea
 
The health authorities said people should take the necessary precautions for prevention of respiratory infections. 

What are these precautions? 

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.  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 covid19.gov.mt.

Coronavirus: Your questions, answered. 

What do you want to know about the coronavirus? E-mail us your questions and we'll ask the experts: newsroom@timesofmalta.com

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