Govt extends EMCO on Top Glove hostel in Klang, workers previously Covid-19 negative now must undergo mandatory quarantine

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 — The enhanced movement control order (EMCO) in place at the workers’ quarters of rubber maker Top Glove in Meru, Klang has been extended for another 14 days from tomorrow until December 14.

Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today said the EMCO on the area — first imposed on November 17 — was extended because screenings of the workers there show that there is still a high rate of positive Covid-19 cases.

He added that the National Security Council has determined that all Top Glove workers there must be screened for the coronavirus and that even those found negative are considered “high risk” and will be subject to mandatory quarantine.

“Foreign workers will be placed in quarantine centres, while Malaysian workers will have to undergo home quarantine,” he said during a press briefing today.

Ismail added that all workers will be issued a Home Surveillance Order (HSO) for 14 days, and will wear wrist bands for surveillance, have daily health checks, and undergo a repeat Covid-19 test on the 13th day of their HSO.

For foreign workers who test positive, Ismail said they will be placed in Low Risk Covid-19 Quarantine and Treatment Centres (PKRC) at the workers quarters within the EMCO area.

Meanwhile, Malaysian workers will be placed in Ministry of Health (MoH) facilities.

“Citizen and non-citizen workers under quarantine are not allowed to work until their repeat screening results are negative, and are released from the HSO.

“Any movement from the PKRC and quarantine centres must be informed to the Klang district Health office.” he said.

Foreign workers will only be allowed back to work if they have been released from the HSO, or if they have been given an official discharge notice from MoH facilities or from a PKRC.

“All workers released from the HSO, will be required to wear a surveillance band that is of a different colour than the HSO band,” Ismail added.

Ismail said that all costs of the workers’ Covid-19 screenings, quarantine facilities and related food, transport and accommodation costs, will be borne by their employer, Top Glove.

Ismail noted that to date, the Health Ministry has conducted screenings on 5,805 of the factory’s workers, and found 3,406 of them to be positive for Covid-19.

During the same briefing, Ismail also announced that several new areas will be put under EMCO.

In Ipoh, Zone A of Taman Klebang Jaya and Taman Pinji Mewah will undergo EMCO for 14 days from December 1 to 14. This is due to a rise in cases among workers in the nearby Kamaya and Salutica factories.

In Sabah, the Sibuga Temporary Detention Centre at Sandakan, and Kampung Desa Bajau and Kampung Dasar Baru at Lahad Datu will be placed under an EMCO from December 2 to 15.

A total of 104 Covid-19 cases have been recorded at the Sibuga Temporary Detention Centre, while 90 cumulative cases were detected at the two affected areas in Lahad Datu.

Meanwhile, the EMCO orders at Putra Point Nilai, Negri Sembilan and at Sekolah Agama Bantuan Kerajaan Maahad Al Yahyawiyah, Perak will end today and on December 5 respectively.

Both areas have not recorded new Covid-19 cases since November 26.