THE Covid-19 screening tests involving foreign workers in Penang have so far yielded positive outcomes.
State Housing, Local Government, Country and Town Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo, who was pleased with the results, said screening tests for foreign workers in all sectors are being carried out in phases following Putrajaya’s recent decision.
The Federal Government had recently said it is mandatory for the nearly one million foreign workers in the country to undergo screening after a spike in Covid-19 cases.
“From the statistics that I have received up to Dec 4, the results at the three foreign workers’ dormitories in Penang have turned out to be negative.
“All the 6,100 foreign workers in Batu Maung, Bukit Jambul and Bukit Minyak dormitories have been tested negative.
“At the Queens Waterfront construction site in Bayan Lepas, a total of 138 foreign workers out of 350 have taken swab tests and are awaiting results.
“This brings to a total of 6,238 foreign workers from all sectors who have undergone a mandatory screening since Dec 1.
“We want to make sure that Penang is protected all the time and everyone is adhering to the standard operating procedures (SOPs),” he said at a press conference after inspecting SOPs compliance at Queens Waterfront construction site today.
There are 135,490 registered foreign workers in various sectors in the state.
Jagdeep told reporters that he would continue with his usual routine spot checks.
In a related development, Jagdeep expressed hope that the Federal Government would look into ways to assist employers to fund Covid-19 screening costs.
“For instance, the Social Security Organisation (Socso) can do their part by considering to help those involved.
“Many employers have already been hampered by the current economic situation and yet they have to bear the cost of Covid-19 tests,” he said.
Jagdeep said a total of 35 health facilities, including hospitals and clinics, have been identified to carry out the screenings.
“I would like to ask the Federal Government whether there are sufficient facilities to cater to the ongoing screenings.
“If not, they should do something and try to address the issue,” he added.
Jagdeep said screenings would take place in all areas but the priority would be given to red-zone areas.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud