Bengaluru, Jan 21 (IANS): Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has set up a Novel Corona Virus screening mechanism in the premises in a bid to prevent its spread in the city, an official here said on Tuesday.

"Based on the guidelines received from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Bengaluru International Airport Ltd has set up a help desk at international arrivals," the airport spokesperson said.

The Bengaluru airport will subject passengers arriving from Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur to thermal screening.

"Bengaluru airport has no direct flight connecting the affected cities in China. However, the airport has taken precautionary measures to manage cases related to the Novel Corona Virus," the spokesperson added.

On Friday, the central government ordered thermal screening of passengers arriving from China at Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata airports.

In a statement on January 13, the World Health Organization (WHO) said: "The possibility of cases being identified in other countries was not unexpected and reinforces why WHO calls for ongoing active monitoring and preparedness in other countries."