PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA: The Health Ministry has urged all employers to give seven days unrecorded leave to staff placed under quarantine after visiting Australia, the Philippines or the United States.

Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the ministry had prepared documents for those placed under home quarantine or voluntary self-quarantine so employers could identify genuine cases.

The next Cabinet meeting would discuss whether the Government could make it mandatory for employers to provide the unrecorded leave, he told reporters yesterday after handing out excellent service awards to ministry staff here yesterday.

Liow also said schools should open all windows and doors to allow better ventilation in classrooms.

However, he stressed that there was no need for the public to panic or point fingers at families with confirmed infections.

He called on all those who had contact with confirmed cases to come forward voluntarily so they could be placed under quarantine and to practise the 10 steps announced by the ministry on Wednesday for them to adhere while in quarantine.

"Those placed under quarantine must also remember not to breach the restrictions, or we will take action under Section 15 of the Disease Control Act which carries a fine of up to RM10,000 ($4,136) or two years jail or both," he said.

Liow said he had ordered a freeze on all leave for the ministry's over 100,000 staff nationwide until further notice to ensure, its public awareness campaign and other activities to curb the spread of the flu could be carried out effectively.

Liow also warned against spreading rumours via text messages or other means of alleged confirmed cases.

People with symptoms should seek immediate treatment as the medication works best within the first 48 hours, he said, adding that the public should remain vigilant.