KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 — All foreign security guards working in Malaysia must undergo Covid-19 swab testing following the discovery of a cluster among guards at a mall in Cheras, said Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Ismail said the government reached the decision earlier today as the guards ere a direct contact point for many people entering malls and stores.
The senior minister, during his daily non-health Covid-19 briefing in Putrajaya, pointed out how tracing of these guards’ close contacts, should they become infected, could become unmanageable considering how supermarkets within malls do not record details of customers.
“These security guards are the ones checking customers’ body temperatures before going into malls, so they will come in contact with many people.
“Because of that, the meeting this morning decided that it will be compulsory for all foreign security guards to undergo health screening swab tests,” he said.
Ismail explained that since these security companies are under the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs, they are the ones who will be issuing the directive to all those affected.
On the Cheras mall cluster, Ismail said all the guards who tested positive have already been taken to hospitals for isolation and treatment, with their close contacts also tested as a precaution.
When asked if the emergence of the cluster meant an enhanced movement control order will be placed on the area, the minister said they were awaiting the Health Ministry’s recommendations.
“If the Health Ministry feels that the area needs to be closed off, then such actions will be taken accordingly,” he said.
Yesterday, Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah disclosed that 10 security guards from the mall were positive for Covid-19, and investigations were ongoing to determine the origin of infections.
