Do you have a cat at home? Or a dog?

Our pets are everything to us, we consider them as part of our family and some even grow up with their pets. Let’s be honest, we bring them along when we balik kampung and even celebrated their birthdays! 

But what if you found out that pets can also contract the COVID-19 virus? Leaving them alone or abandoning them is NEVER an option! 

On the Ministry of Health Twitter account, Health DG Datuk Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah advised that good hygiene habits are important when handling animals or pets to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

when in contact with animals and pets. Wash your hands before and after handling them.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health (MOH) will work closely with the Department of Veterinary (DVS) for further advice on this matter. - DG of Health @DGHisham

— KKMPutrajaya (@KKMPutrajaya) April 6, 2020

If animal lovers cannot stay away from their pets, always practice precautionary measures like washing your hands before and after touching your pets. 

People have been questioning whether they can get infected with the virus from their pets, following media reports of a Malayan tiger in the Bronx Zoo, New York, which was confirmed positive for COVID-19, believed to have been contracted from its zoo-keeper. 

Meanwhile, according to Berita Harian, Zoo Negara has taken precautionary steps to ensure that 300 species of its animals will not be infected with the COVID-19 virus, which includes minimizing the movement of the zookeepers to their enclosures and limiting their working hours to just four hours a day. 

No worries, it doesn’t mean you have to stop cuddling your furry friends! Just make sure you wash your hands before, and afterward! 

Mcm kucing sy nama nyompok. pic.twitter.com/gYG3gsmT4z

— Underrated. / Unpopuler. (@kekpokemon) April 6, 2020

Anggap sahajalah kucing kita itu macam manusia yang vulnerable. Jadi, kalau kita terpaksa keluar rumah, bersihkan diri dulu sebelum jumpa mereka. Kesian mereka kalau terjangkit nanti dari kita. Kucing tu tak bersalah, mereka patuh MCO. Kita ini yg tak patuh.

— puteri.brahan (@BrahanPuteri) April 6, 2020

Not our fury baby.. Moga Tuhan lindung mereka juga.

— Hani jerrr (@NurZainatulhani) April 6, 2020

By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat