Lii Hen's foreign worker dormitory under EMCO until Jan 5 after seven staff infected

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 28): A foreign worker dormitory of Lii Hen Industries Bhd in Muar, Johor has been put under Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) after seven of its employees tested positive for Covid-19.

The Johor-based furniture maker is the latest company with reported infections on the factory floor. Apart from the glove manufacturers, those which have detected positive cases recently include Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Bhd, Karex Bhd, and ATA IMS Bhd.

Lii Hen said the Ministry of Health (MoH) issued the order after its visit to the company's premises yesterday following the confirmation of positive Covid-19 cases. The EMCO on the specific foreign worker dormitory is in effect for 10 days starting from Dec 27, 2020 until Jan 5, 2021.

"Lii Hen will be seeking clarification from the relevant authorities on implementation of the EMCO," it said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia today.

By virtue of the EMCO, Lii Hen said it has taken an additional step to temporarily suspend its operations of the affected facility until Jan 5, 2021.

"All employees in the affected plant premises are currently placed under quarantine and isolation. As recommended and guided by MoH, we have on an even date conducted Covid-19 full screening of all the remaining workers at the specific foreign workers' dormitory in Bukit Pasir, Muar, Johor," Lii Hen added.

Lii Hen said the first Covid-19 positive case was an employee working for one of its subsidiaries — EF Furniture Sdn Bhd — which was reported on Dec 23 after said employee developed symptoms and underwent a screening test.

Following that, six new cases — foreign workers who were in close contact with the said employee — were further reported to be Covid-19 positive after undergoing screening tests on Dec 26 and 27, 2020.

Despite the suspension of the affected facility, Lii Hen said it will only have a minimal impact on the group's operations and financial performance for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2020.

Other unaffected production facilities in different locations are operating normally, it assured.

"Notwithstanding the above, Lii Hen's operations have adhered to, and will continue to adhere to, Covid-19 preventive SOPs (standard operating procedures) on a stringent basis. Disinfection exercises at all premises and accommodation are also conducted regularly, with all the necessary precautionary measures strictly in place," Lii Hen said.

"The group will embark on screening exercises for its migrant workers according to requirements announced by the government and will monitor the situation closely. Appropriate updates will be furnished in due course as the need arises," it added.

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