KUALA LUMPUR – Top Glove Corporation Bhd, the company at the centre of the Teratai cluster that saw 1,067 new Covid-19 cases today, said it will cooperate with the authorities on the temporary suspension of its factory operations in Meru, Klang.
Done in stages, the company said it has halted production in 16 facilities in the area since October 18, while 12 remaining facilities are operating at reduced capacities.
The company said it has completed screening 5,700 workers at its hostels with the help of the Health Ministry, adding it is committed to proceeding with tests on staff yet to be screened.
"The safety and well-being of our employees and the local community is our utmost priority towards containing the situation and flattening the Covid-19 curve," the company said in a statement today.
"Meanwhile, we will continue to adhere to Covid-19 preventive SOPs (standard operating procedures) on a stringent basis. Disinfection exercises at our premises and accommodation are also conducted regularly, with all the necessary precautionary measures strictly in place."
Top Glove is the largest manufacturer of gloves in the world, with 47 factories scattered throughout Malaysia (41 factories), Thailand (4), China (1) and Vietnam (1).
With 750 glove production lines, the company employs more than 21,000 people and has the capacity to produce 90 billion pieces of the product annually.
Earlier, Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaacob said the National Security Council (NSC) has agreed to close 28 Top Glove factories in Klang in stages.
"This will facilitate operations to screen and quarantine workers from the company,” he had said.
The spike in Covid-19 cases among Top Glove workers in Klang in recent weeks has led to the authorities imposing the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) since November 7.
Ismail Sabri said a total of 1,889 Top Glove workers have tested positive for Covid-19 so far. – The Vibes, November 23, 2020
