KUALA LUMPUR – Putrajaya may announce “a shutdown/strict lockdown” after the deadline of the second movement control order (MCO) if Covid-19 infections continue to increase, according to a January 22 meeting summary between the International Trade and Industry Ministry and the EU-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Eurocham).
“The secretary-general of the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti), Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali, chaired the meeting and informed us that the Health Ministry (MOH) has made a clear stand on the matter of a complete shutdown of the economy.
“With 99 Covid-19 clusters related to manufacturing out of more than 300 in the country, MOH believes that the manufacturing sector is the main source of infections.
“Construction was also mentioned, but since not under the purview of Miti, we did not discuss the sector in detail. Should the infection rate not decrease, the Malaysian government will announce a shutdown/strict lockdown immediately after February 4, 2021.
“This is the current situation we are facing and Miti is appealing to all companies, foreign and local, to join the effort in reducing infections, breaking the chain (of infection), to keep the economy open for business,” the document read.
On the measures spelt out in the meeting summary, Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah told The Vibes that the MOH has adopted a wait-and-see stance.
“Will see what the government decides. We only advise the government,” he said.
Eurocham went on to urge its members, “while awaiting more information from the ministry and since time is of the essence”, to make adjustments and comply with SOPs after a brainstorming session with Miti to ensure manufacturing sites themselves demonstrated “sufficient compliance”.
Eurocham chairman Oliver Roche was not available for immediate comment.
Preliminary recommendations in the meeting summary include:
1. Companies to assign at least one human resources person to manage and coordinate foreign workers and/or workers staying in dormitories.
The key here is to minimise community movement and social activities, as well as ensure adherence to MCO SOPs. Often workers in dormitories are found flouting SOP and engaging unnecessarily in extensive social activities in or outside the dormitories.
2. Companies are requested to take responsibility in cases where foreign workers management or housing have been outsourced to employment agencies.
There have been cases where poor housing conditions or transportation compliance by the agent has led to rising infections. Companies sometimes are not aware, but the government encourages strengthened communication and coordination with employment agencies and outsourcing partners for the benefit of all.
3. Companies are requested to establish basic quarantine spaces at their dormitories to ensure that suspected cases, close contacts and confirmed Covid-19 cases can be isolated/quarantined immediately and reduce risk of further spread. Any immediate and short-term measures are welcomed to reduce infections.
4. Workers staying at home with family may also be offered to stay at company quarantine facilities, if they and close contacts are suspected of or test positive for Covid-19.
5. In the context of transportation, companies have to ensure social distancing – a reduction of up to 50% capacity of each vehicle is suggested. This will also be reflected in official SOPs, since there are inconsistencies in the current SOPs.
6. Companies will also have to check with their respective supply chain partners for compliance.
7. There was also a discussion regarding testing capacity and contact tracing. There may be updates on this matter in the next few days.
The government had extended MCO 2.0 to February 4 while the emergency order expires on August 1.
Malaysia yesterday recorded its highest number of daily Covid-19 cases at 4,275 since the start of the pandemic, reported the MOH.
The ministry also announced seven new deaths, bringing the death toll to 667.
In contrast, 4,313 cases have recovered, the highest number of recoveries since the pandemic started last year. – The Vibes, January 24, 2021
