Penang association urges factories, firms not to delay screening of foreign workers

A file picture of foreign workers waiting to get tested for Covid-19 at a clinic in Bayan Baru on Dec 18, 2020. — ZAINUDIN AHAD/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: Factories and companies are urged not to delay sending their foreign workers for Covid-19 screening as required by the government to contain the spread of the pandemic.

The Penang Medical Practitioners Society (PMPS) president Dr Parmjit Singh said the onus was on owners and management teams to send their foreign workers for testing as panel clinics would not call them up.

"We hope they can come forward themselves.

"So far, over 30,000 foreign workers have been tested across 76 panel clinics in Penang as of Monday (Jan 18).

"Right now, we are conducting up to 3,000 Covid-19 screenings daily across the state.

"We need more factories and companies with foreign workers to contact panel clinics for Covid-19 tests.

"All 76 panel clinics in Penang are able to conduct the screening. We do not restrict anyone from doing the tests," he said when met at a clinic in Bayan Baru on Monday.

Dr Parmjit said foreign workers who contribute to the Social Security Organisation (Socso) could get their tests done at panel clinics.

"Socso has prepared the Rapid Antigen test kits (RTK-Ag) for the participating clinics," he added.