Singapore and Malaysia to establish a joint working group for the 2019 novel coronavirus

                 Singapore and Malaysia will establish a joint working group to further enhance cooperation to prevent and control the spread of 2019-novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

2.              The objective of the joint working group is to strengthen collaborations and enhance communication between both countries, in order to better understand and limit the spread of 2019-nCoV. Senior health officials from both countries will work closely together over the next few days to determine the composition and Terms of Reference of this joint-workgroup. Singapore has nominated Senior Minister of State for Transport and Health, Dr Lam Pin Min, to co-chair the joint working group.

3.              At a video conference today, Singapore Minister for Health, Mr Gan Kim Yong and Malaysia Minister for Health, YB Datuk Seri. Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad updated the situations in the respective countries and discussed public health measures, epidemiological findings and clinical management of the disease.

4.              The Ministers agreed that it is important for health officials from both countries to continue working closely together against the on-going outbreak, especially since the high travel volume between the two countries. Bilateral health cooperation and timely sharing of information  will play a critical role in managing the 2019-nCoV.

5.              Since the start of the outbreak, both countries have been in close touch with one another, including expeditiously sharing information on cross-border cases. The cooperation would not have been possible without the strong collaboration and network built up over the years.