Australia to screen arrivals from Wuhan for coronavirus

Health officials handing out information about the current coronavirus at the KLIA in Sepang on Tuesday (Jan 21). Asia-Pacific countries including Australia have initiated body temperature checks at airports, railway stations and along highways in hopes of catching those at risk of carrying a new coronavirus that has sickened hundreds in China. - AP

SYDNEY: Australia will start screening arrivals from Wuhan for a new strain of coronavirus that's been infecting hundreds of people across the central Chinese metropolis, the nation's chief medical officer said on Tuesday (Jan 21).

Professor Brendan Murphy said the screening was a precaution, but there was no need for alarm as the risk to the Australian public from the virus was relatively low, the Australian Associated Press (AAP) reported.