COVID-19: PALM OIL COMPANIES URGED TO SCREEN WORKERS WITHIN 30 DAYS

25 JAN 2021

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KOTA KINABALU: Palm oil companies in the state have been urged by the State Government to screen all their workers for Covid-19 within 30 days starting from today (Jan 25).

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said that the screening will involve 153,250 workers from 1,160 estates and 33,034 small palm oil plantations.

He said that the current situation of the COVID-19 cases involving the palm oil plantation sector in Sabah is worrying.

“As of January 24, a total of six COVID-19 clusters were reported after Social Security Organisation (Socso) conducted a screening to all its foreign workers.

“Of these six clusters, 254 positive cases were reported involving employees, close family contacts as well as symptomatic individuals who do not work on the farm.

“The State Government also express its appreciation towards plantation industry players who have voluntarily implemented restriction of movement towards its workers (locked down) to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” he said in a statement today.

However, Hajiji explained that the Government would still allow movement for the plantation representative to obtain basic supplies and other necessities, Covid-19 screening officers, farm produce transportation workers, and the company members of management which were given authorisation.

He also stated that the Ministry of Health (MOH) would immediately close the operation of plantations if positive cases are detected so that sanitation works can be carried out.

“The reopening of the plantation’s operation is subject to the evaluation by MOH.

“The State Government will continue to monitor the development of COVID-19 situation in the oil palm plantation sector in Sabah from time to time and ensure compliance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) set by the Ministry of Health Malaysia.

Hajiji reminded all parties to take precautions and to comply with the directives of the authorities from time to time.