SEREMBAN: All government health personnel are barred from travelling abroad due to the outbreak of Covid-19, unless they have a pressing need to do so, says Health Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Chen Chaw Min.

According to him, this was necessary as the virus was spreading rapidly in many countries.

"The surge in the number of cases can adversely impact public health and also disrupt the delivery of medical services to the people.

"Under such circumstances, department heads have the discretion not to approve applications for leave from their staff," he said in a directive.

Dr Chen said government health personnel were also strictly prohibited from travelling to China, South Korea, Japan, Italy and Iran for now.

"We, at the ministry, will continue to monitor the global situation and will issue

directives from time to time," he added.