Indonesia to issue masks to travellers
2nd July 2009
The Indonesian government has requested that all visitors from swine flu-affected countries wear face masks when they first arrive in the country.
Health Minister Siti Fadillah Supari said earlier this week that visitors will be asked to wear the masks for three days as this is the incubation period of swine flu.
However there will be no attempt to enforce this measure, due to the risk of it adversely affecting tourism. The free masks will be handed out to passengers as soon as funding allows.
The Indonesian government has also stepped up the use of thermal scanners, which measure body temperature, at the country’s airports. It will now be a requirement for all international passengers to pass through when arriving and those with a high temperature will be referred for further diagnosis.
These precautions have been put into place after eight cases of swine flu were confirmed in the country last week, four of which were foreign tourists.
Indonesia was the country most affected by avian flu; leading to deaths since 2005. It’s hoped that these measures can prevent swine flu spreading in the same way.
China, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan are also using thermal scanners at their airports to screen for the virus.