KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27 — Putrajaya will give out special monthly allowances to those involved in combating the Covid-19 virus outbreak and halting its spread, with sums of RM200 and RM400, depending on their roles.

Interim Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the federal government will also ensure there are enough equipment and other medical necessities to continue fighting the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus.

"As a sign of appreciation to those in the front line protecting Malaysia from the contagion, government staff directly involved in the containment efforts will be eligible for a special monthly critical allowance of RM400 for medical doctors and other medical personnel, as well as RM200 for immigration and related front-line staff commencing February 2020 until the end of the pandemic.”

"To date, the Ministry of Health has committed RM150 million to purchase the relevant equipment, medicine and consumables in the effort to contain Covid-19 outbreak. The government will provide the necessary resources to ensure Covid-19 disease is well managed,” he said.

The measures were part of a RM20 billion economic stimulus package announced today.

Dr Mahathir expressed the government’s appreciation for the "doctors, nurses, health workers, Immigration and other front liners protecting Malaysia from the Covid-19 outbreak”.

The entire economic stimulus package has three strategies, namely to mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak, spurring rakyat-centric economic growth, and promoting quality investments.

The stimulus package was introduced to ensure Malaysia’s economy will weather a further anticipated slowdown as a result of the global spread of the Covid-19 virus.

Locally, Malaysia has managed to contain the virus, resulting in only 22 infection cases to date, 20 who have fully recovered and discharged the remaining two warded in stable conditions.