The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today instructed the health and related departments to step up their internal preparations and keep close contact with the World Health Organization (WHO), Mainland and Hong Kong authorities to monitor any new cases of the novel coronavirus.

After the warning issued by the WHO, Mr Chui convened a meeting with high-ranking officials from the health sector on the preparedness and response for the novel coronavirus infection cases found abroad.

He said Macao could fully make use of the communication mechanisms, such as the Meeting of Senior Health Officials and the Response Mechanism for Public Health Emergencies between Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, to keep each other informed and work jointly to prevent the spread of the new disease.

The departments should view the precautionary health facilities and personal protection equipment, and depending on the development of the virus, consider to launch the health report at checkpoints for better monitoring, said the Chief Executive.

Meanwhile, the Health Bureau and relevant departments should enhance the dissemination of health and prevention messages to the people, stressing on attention to personal hygiene.