AS COVID-19 daily infection cases rise to alarming levels, Putrajaya is mulling a “strict lockdown” after the current movement control order (MCO 2.0) ends in February.
According to a document by EU-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Eurocham) dated yesterday, sighted by FocusM, the business chamber highlighted certain key areas discussed with the International Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI), after a meeting on Jan 22.
“MITI’s secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali, chaired the meeting and informed us that 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 Government will announce a shutdown/strict lockdown immediately after Feb 4.
“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 said.
Following the meeting, Eurocham advised its members to make the necessary adjustments and comply with standard operating procedures (SOPs) to demonstrate compliance to Government regulations.
Among the initial recommendations made during the meeting were:
- Companies to assign at least one human resources officer to manage and coordinate foreign workers and/or workers staying in dormitories.
- Companies are requested to take responsibility in cases where foreign workers management or housing have been outsourced to employment agencies.
- 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.
- Workers staying at home with family may also be offered to stay at company quarantine facilities, if they and their close contacts are suspected or test positive for COVID-19.
- In terms of transportation, companies have to ensure social distancing – a reduction of up to 50% capacity of each vehicle is recommended. This will also be reflected in official SOPs, since there are inconsistencies in the current SOPs.
- Companies will also have to check with their respective supply chain partners for compliance.
- There was also a discussion regarding testing capacity and contact tracing. Updates may be given on the matter in the next few days.
When contacted by FocusM, Eurocham’s communication’s team refused to divulge any details on the matter, as of press time.
On related matter, online news portal, The Vibes reported the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) calling for its members to adhere to MCO regulation and SOPs, or risk having an economic lockdown.
In an advisory yesterday, its president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai told members that it was important for manufacturers to manage infections and clusters effectively to break infection cycles.
It also reminded manufacturers that they cannot risk another total lockdown, like the one in March last year.
Yesterday, Malaysia recorded its highest daily infection numbers, at 4,275 since the pandemic hit the nation’s shores early last year.
Unlike the MCO 1.0, the current MCO allows many sectors of the economy to operate as usual, albeit several restrictions.
However, many quarters have complained that the relaxed rules were not helping to stem the pandemic as daily infections number continue to hit the four-digit mark, with Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah himself admitting that the public healthcare facility is at risk of being “overwhelmed”. – Jan 24, 2021.
