Screening of foreign workers go nationwide

IPOH: The Covid-19 screening programme for foreign workers will be extended nationwide, says Datuk Seri M. Saravanan.

The Human Resources Minister said following the implementation of the movement control order, as well as the announcement of the Permai assistance package, the programme had been extended from Tuesday beyond the initial six states and territories.

He said the Social Security Organisation (Socso), which implemented the programme, had allocated an additional RM54mil for the extended screening.

“The screening will utilise the Antigen Rapid Test kits (RTK-Ag), with the cost of the kits borne by Socso.

“Employers are required to pay charges imposed by the clinics or hospitals.

“However, employers will need to bear the total screening cost for foreign workers who are not Socso contributors, ” he said in a statement yesterday.

The mandatory Covid-19 screening of foreign workers began on Jan 1.

Saravanan said employers should provide Covid-19 screening tests for their foreign workers in accordance with the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the Infected Local Areas [No.9]) 2020 order under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 which came into force on Jan 1,2021.

He had said that the programme would focus on six high-risk states involving 800,000 foreign workers.

They included Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Penang, Johor, Sabah and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.

For other states, Saravanan said enforcement would take effect after February.

Information on the programme, including the list of the participating clinics, can be obtained at PSP Portal (https://psp.perkeso.gov.my).

For details, email [e-mail] or call the hotline at 1-300-22-8000​ or 03-4264 5089.