PUTRAJAYA – Employers who do not allow employees to self-quarantine while waiting for their Covid-19 test results will have their premises shut immediately, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.
He said this comes under the conditions of the general standard operation procedures and general guidelines on the approval of operations movement of company employees during movement control order issued by the International Trade and Industry Ministry.
It also applies to employees who voluntarily self-quarantine after receiving negative Covid-19 test results, he added.
“If employers do not allow quarantines, the condition states that the Health Ministry and police, based on the authority given, can order the immediate closure of their premises.
“Non-compliance by employers must be reported to police.”
Article 34 of the condition states that if there is any employee under the Health Ministry’s observation or under placed under home observation, the employee is not allowed to come to work and is required to undergo a quarantine period set by the ministry.
The condition also states that the company must fully cooperate with the ministry in implementing contact-tracing of employees infected with Covid-19 and contact management while the affected employee is not allowed to work and required to be quarantined.
Dr Adham said the reminder is timely amid the recent rise in workplace-related Covid-19 clusters, with 44 clusters recorded between May 2 and 8, compared with 24 between April 25 and May 1.
The situation is worrying as it represents an 83.3% increase during that period, he added. – Bernama, May 10, 2021
