Putrajaya mulls total economic shutdown after Feb 4 if Covid numbers don't improve, Eurocham Malaysia tells its members
Putrajaya is set to announce a total economic shutdown after February 4, should the number of Covid-19 cases not decrease. — Picture by Shafwan Zaidon
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 24 — Putrajaya is set to announce a total economic shutdown after February 4, should the number of Covid-19 cases in the nation continue to not show any improvement, the EU-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Eurocham Malaysia) said in a letter issued to its members.
A source linked to the organisation confirmed the authenticity of the letter with Malay Mail.
The letter detailed a summary of Eurocham Malaysia chief executive Sven Schneider's meeting with the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti), which mentioned that the Ministry of Health (MOH) “has made a clear stand on the matter of a complete shutdown of the economy”.
“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 of reducing infections, breaking the chain, to keep the economy open for business,” the letter further read.
The letter stated that Schneider was invited to attend the “very important and urgent meeting” at Miti, on the evening of January 22, and that the meeting was chaired by the ministry’s secretary-general, Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali.
It also stated that the MOH believed it is the manufacturing sector, with 99 Covid-19 clusters, which is the main source of infection.
“Since in particular, dormitories and related activities (transportation, social activities) were identified as problems, while manufacturing sites itself usually demonstrate sufficient compliance, Miti brainstormed together with the present chambers of commerce a few potential measures.
“While we are awaiting more information from the Ministry and since time is of the essence, we share the preliminary outcomes here with you,” the letter read, listing several points.
Eurocham Malaysia requested companies to assign at least one human resource supervisor to manage and coordinate foreign workers or workers staying in dormitories, adding that the main goal for this is to minimise community movement, social activities and thereby compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the movement control order (MCO).
It said that this was because often, workers in dormitories were found not to practise SOP compliance and engage unnecessarily in extensive social activities in or outside the dormitories.
“Companies are requested to also 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 to strengthen communication and coordination with employment agencies and outsourcing partners for the benefit of all.
“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,” the organisation said.
It added that workers staying at home with family, may also be offered to stay at company quarantine facilities, should they and close contacts be suspected or tested positive.
“In the context of transportation, companies have to ensure social distancing and thereby reduction to 50 per cent of capacity of each vehicle is suggested. This will also be reflected in official SOPs, since we discovered yesterday an inconsistency in the current SOPs,” it said, adding that companies will also have to check with their respective supply chain partners for SOP compliance.
“There was also a discussion regarding testing capacity and contact tracing. There may be updates on this matter during the next few days as well.
“We understand that this must seem as another major challenge and potentially costly changes may have to be made. Nonetheless, Eurocham encourages its members to do whatever you can to reduce infections, break the chain and keep the economy open,” it said.
The record for daily new cases of Covid-19 in Malaysia was broken once again, with 4,275 cases reported yesterday.
However, daily recoveries from the disease also reached a new high, with 4,313 people reported to have been given a clean bill of health.
The MOH on its website for Covid-19 updates said active cases of Covid-19 in the country currently number 42,769; while the total number of confirmed cases in Malaysia has hit 180,455.
A source linked to the organisation confirmed the authenticity of the letter with Malay Mail.
The letter detailed a summary of Eurocham Malaysia chief executive Sven Schneider's meeting with the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti), which mentioned that the Ministry of Health (MOH) “has made a clear stand on the matter of a complete shutdown of the economy”.
“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 of reducing infections, breaking the chain, to keep the economy open for business,” the letter further read.
The letter stated that Schneider was invited to attend the “very important and urgent meeting” at Miti, on the evening of January 22, and that the meeting was chaired by the ministry’s secretary-general, Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali.
It also stated that the MOH believed it is the manufacturing sector, with 99 Covid-19 clusters, which is the main source of infection.
“Since in particular, dormitories and related activities (transportation, social activities) were identified as problems, while manufacturing sites itself usually demonstrate sufficient compliance, Miti brainstormed together with the present chambers of commerce a few potential measures.
“While we are awaiting more information from the Ministry and since time is of the essence, we share the preliminary outcomes here with you,” the letter read, listing several points.
Eurocham Malaysia requested companies to assign at least one human resource supervisor to manage and coordinate foreign workers or workers staying in dormitories, adding that the main goal for this is to minimise community movement, social activities and thereby compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the movement control order (MCO).
It said that this was because often, workers in dormitories were found not to practise SOP compliance and engage unnecessarily in extensive social activities in or outside the dormitories.
“Companies are requested to also 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 to strengthen communication and coordination with employment agencies and outsourcing partners for the benefit of all.
“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,” the organisation said.
It added that workers staying at home with family, may also be offered to stay at company quarantine facilities, should they and close contacts be suspected or tested positive.
“In the context of transportation, companies have to ensure social distancing and thereby reduction to 50 per cent of capacity of each vehicle is suggested. This will also be reflected in official SOPs, since we discovered yesterday an inconsistency in the current SOPs,” it said, adding that companies will also have to check with their respective supply chain partners for SOP compliance.
“There was also a discussion regarding testing capacity and contact tracing. There may be updates on this matter during the next few days as well.
“We understand that this must seem as another major challenge and potentially costly changes may have to be made. Nonetheless, Eurocham encourages its members to do whatever you can to reduce infections, break the chain and keep the economy open,” it said.
The record for daily new cases of Covid-19 in Malaysia was broken once again, with 4,275 cases reported yesterday.
However, daily recoveries from the disease also reached a new high, with 4,313 people reported to have been given a clean bill of health.
The MOH on its website for Covid-19 updates said active cases of Covid-19 in the country currently number 42,769; while the total number of confirmed cases in Malaysia has hit 180,455.
asalkan orang kito, in abah we trust.
ReplyDeleteUlangkaji...
ReplyDeleteJuly 2020: Yiddin boasting to the whole world how good his PN gomen was in controlling Covid. Already in “Recovery” RMCO stage he crowed......only 8,863 cases total, single digits per day 121 deaths total....
August: Yiddin recommends Noor Hisham for Tan Sri title....
September: Sabah elections......
October: cases start climbing.....
January: MCO2 enforced but cases continue climbing rapidly....180,455 cases, 667 deaths...Wee KHAT Siong duduk rumah makan Mee Maggi.....
February.....Armageddon.....?
QUOTE PMO STATEMENT
Malaysia recognised as one of most successful in handling COVID-19
July 6, 2020
PUTRAJAYA, July 6 — Malaysia has been recognised as one of the most successful countries in the world in handling and controlling the COVID-29 pandemic, said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Addressing about 250 staff of the Prime Minister’s Department at their assembly after the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) here today, Muhyiddin said the success was due to the hard work and cooperation from the government and the entire Malaysian society.
“We are grateful that Malaysia has been able to sail through a very difficult time in dealing with the COVID-19 that has hit the world, including Malaysia.
“All this is because of the tremendous efforts we have put together, both at the government and the grassroots levels, handling it wisely, decisively and boldly to make quick and accurate decisions to prevent the disease from spreading,” he said.
He said the government has never underestimated any issue concerning the well-being of the people even though Malaysia had no experience of dealing with such pandemic for more than 60 years.
Muhyiddin also expressed his gratitude to civil servants and frontliners, including doctors, nurses, armed forces, police, the National Security Council, the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and the Social Welfare Department, for their effort in tackling COVID-19.
He said Malaysia today was at the Recovery Movement Control Order stage which provides many opportunities for life to resume as usual.
“The current recovery phase we are going through is more challenging. It is one more stage that we have to look at carefully.
“Even though, (the problem of) COVID-19 is not resolved until a vaccine has been found, we have to move forward, maybe faster than other countries which are affected by the pandemic,” he said.
As of noon yesterday, the cumulative number of cases recorded in Malaysia is 8,663 with 121 deaths and only 77 active cases.
UNQUOTE
wakakaka, TS is so obsessed with Wee Ka Siong eatinmg Mee Maggi
DeleteWhy KT never tampal Wee KHAT Siong picture here, there, everywhere like he always like to tampal picture of Father, Son and Holy Toonsie like an obsession?
DeleteThe one with his grinning face eating Mee Maggi cepat dimasak sedap dimakan....ha ha ha.....while the country is going to the dogs...nah here is the link....
https://headtopics.com/my/dr-wee-says-instant-noodles-a-firm-favourite-when-at-home-during-mco-18088951
One obvious factor in the Covid-19 spread is the crowded Friday Solat in mosques. All kinds of people mingling and perfect for spreading . The SOP is Kerbau. Crowded like hell.
ReplyDeleteNobody wants to talk about it, or dares not to talk about it.
The most sacred of Cows and unmentionable.