JOHOR BARU – Staff on an oil rig in Malaysian waters are unable to come ashore for Christmas after two colleagues on board tested positive for Covid-19.
It is not known how many workers are currently on board the oil rig off the south-western coast of Johor.
One staff member, who wished to remain anonymous, said the Health Ministry has performed initial screenings of workers.
Another round of testing is expected to be conducted soon to ensure workers have not contracted the virus before they are allowed to disembark and be ferried to shore.
"Most probably, we can leave around December 28 or 29," the source told The Vibes.
The Covid-19-positive duo are being treated and monitored. It is understood that they are both Philippine nationals.
A senior Health Department official, however, declined to elaborate on the case, saying only that the virus “is in the community”.
In August, the government had announced that Malaysian oil and gas workers would no longer be required to undergo quarantine when entering or exiting offshore platforms, as had been imposed during the nationwide movement control order (MCO).
They need only take swab tests before signing in on the rigs and undergo screening upon returning to their hometowns.
Foreigners signing in and out of a platform, however, are still required to undergo quarantine and take the swab test. – The Vibes, December 25, 2020
