KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 25): The Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Cargo Staff Isolation Programme will be implemented for 14 days from tomorrow until Dec 9 following an increase in COVID-19 positive cases from the Kaya Cluster involving MAB Kargo Sdn Bhd (MASkargo) workers.

Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the special meeting of the National Security Council (MKN) today agreed to carry out the quarantine programme involving 360 MASkargo workers at KLIA who are healthy, asymptomatic and confirmed to be COVID-19 negative.

“The workers will be placed at the KLIA Aeropolis Tune Hotel under strict standard operating procedure (SOP) and monitored by the Ministry of Health (MOH), MKN and police,” he told a press conference on the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) development today.  

On the COVID-19 screening of foreign workers, Ismail Sabri said that 888,342 individuals in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, Penang, Negeri Sembilan and Sabah would be tested in the first phase, which is expected to take about four to six weeks.

“All staff will be screened using the antigen rapid test kit method and the cost of RM60 per test would be borne by the Social Security Organisation (Socso), while the Human Resources Ministry will prepare a detailed schedule to avoid overcrowding,” he said.

The Government had earlier made it compulsory for all foreign workers in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Sabah to undergo screenings in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.

As such, Ismail Sabri urged employers to allow their foreign workers to go for the test.

In another development, he said the Government would also focus on the enforcement aspect of the housing and accommodation of foreign workers under the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446).

He said the enforcement would begin tomorrow to ensure every employer provides comfortable housing for their workers.

“Employers who fail to comply with the Act could face a maximum fine of RM50,000 for each offence,” he said.

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