NSC: Manufacturers to continue operating, subject to conditions

KUALA LUMPUR (March 18): The National Security Council (NSC) has allowed manufacturing industries to continue to operate under certain conditions during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period, especially for the production of critical products.

These critical products include the manufacturing and importing of staple food stuff such as rice, sugar, bread, agriculture and fisheries, home goods products such as detergents and disinfectants, personal protective equipment (PPE), pharmaceuticals, packaging and printing materials including ink, medical and surgical devices, as well as the manufacturing of parts for medical devices such as parts for ventilators.

In a statement today, the NSC said manufacturers must ensure minimum utilization of workers and rotation of workers must be implemented.

"The industries under consideration must also be responsible for ensuring that prevention measures for the COVID-19 outbreak are mandatory at the company level for the safety of both employees and customers," it said.

One of the conditions imposed for the manufacturers is a requirement for the number of workers to be reduced to a minimum or at least 50% of the current or registered amount, for production within the period of the MCO.

"Companies should establish a work-from-home system for workers not involved in critical manufacturing activities," it said.

Other conditions include the following: 

- Companies are required to meet the demand of the product or service for the local market completely
- Companies must submit to MITI, the list of workers involved during the MCO period and ensure that the movement of workers is restricted from home to factory /premises
- Companies must provide body temperature devices, and take daily body temperature readings at the factory /premises entrance — Readings for each employee should be recorded and kept for reference
- Companies must provide hand sanitizers at the entrance and other relevant places within the factory / premises, and ensure the use of face masks by each employee
- Companies must conduct a disinfection sanitation process at the factory /premises before each shift or operation begins
- The sanitation and cleaning process must be carried out three times a day, especially in common spaces such as lobbies, elevators, cafeterias, meeting rooms, prayer rooms, bus/staff transportation and indoor recreation centres
- In the event that an employee is infected with COVID-19, the company is responsible for the full costs of all medical expenses, the process of decontamination, and other related costs

The decision to allow manufacturers to continue to operate was achieved after the government, through the ministry of international trade and industry (MITI), held a meeting yesterday with industry associations and chambers of commerce including the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM), National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM), American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) and The Japanese Chamber of Trade and Industry, Malaysia (JACTIM).

"In this regard, the Government is very concerned and takes seriously, the challenges facing the industry and also recognizes the importance of the industry sector during the period in which the Movement Control Order comes into force.

"The government will continue to work closely with the industry community in ensuring that essential supply services are not cut off," the NSC said.

The following is the list of approved critical manufacturing sectors, subject to MITI conditions:

Products

1. Food and beverage including imported goods

• Rice

• Sugar

• Vegetable oil and animal fats

• Flour and grains

• Bread

• Water

• Dairy products - milk and baby formula

• Spices

• Dry foods

• Coffee and tea

• Canned food

• Beef

• Chicken

• Animal/livestock feed

• Processed fruits and vegetables

Agriculture and fisheries including imports

• Fish and seafood

• Fruits

• Vegetables

2. Household products

• Detergent

• Disinfectant products

• Sanitisers

• Personal care products

• Toilet and tissue paper

    Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including fire safety equipment and medical gear including face mask and rubber gloves.
    Pharmaceuticals - all chemicals and medicines
    Packaging and printing materials including ink
    Medical and surgical devices
    Parts for medical equipment such as parts for ventilator

List of products that are part of the essential product supply chain to be excluded from movement restriction order:

    Oil and gas
    Petrochemicals

• Resin PTA & PET

• Polyester fibre & filament

• Polypropylene & polyethylene

• Resin ABS & MABS

• Maleic Anhydride

• PVC Paste Resins

• Expanded EPE

• Impact modifiers & processing aids

• Styrene Monomer

• Styrene Butadiene Latex

• Polystyrene

    Chemical substances and products - fertilisers and pesticides
    Electrical and electronic including semiconductor

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