CORONAVIRUS | PSM has sought clarity over Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's claim that foreigners will be charged if they seek Covid-19 screening at public hospitals.

This is despite a reported circular citing Health Ministry secretary-general Noor Hisham Abdullah stating that outpatient fees for foreign close contact of Covid-19 patients will be waived.

"The most alarming thing about the prime minister's address is that there is confusion if migrants and foreigners have to pay.

"PSM seeks clarification on the matter because, before this, it was clearly stated that it is free," PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan said in a statement.

Arutchelvan said Muhyiddin, Health Minister Adham Baba and inspector-general of police Abdul Hamid Bador need to make clear the need to get screened for Covid-19 suspects.

"This is not the time to save cost or have discriminatory policies. The virus attacks all without discriminating," he said.

Muhyiddin, after chairing the Economic Action Council meeting today, was asked at a press conference whether foreigners seeking Covid-19 screening at the public hospital will have to pay.

"Yes, there is cost. Even though those who go to (public) hospital have part of the cost borne (by the government), it is for citizens only.

"If they are foreigners, they have to pay. But it is important for them to do so (come forward) to ensure they do not have the disease.

"It is better to come forward than go without treatment and cause calamity (musibah)," he said.

However, healthcare portal CodeBlue reported that a circular dated Jan 29 had instructed public hospitals to exempt payments for the registration, examination, treatment and hospitalisation fees for foreigners who are a close contact of a Covid-19 patient.

There have been concerns that migrant workers, particularly those without legal documentation, are refusing to come forward out of fear of reprisal could make containing the spread of Covid-19 difficult.

Muhyiddin had earlier revealed that a Covid-19 test could cost around RM700 per person.

As of noon yesterday, Malaysia recorded 1,306 Covid-19 cases with 10 deaths.

Malaysia went into a partial lockdown on March 18. This is expected to last into March 31 but could be extended.