MIRI: The state is drawing up new standard operating procedures (SOPs) to tackle the increasing number of coronavirus-infected employees in the oil and gas sector.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said these workers and their family members were adding to the Miri Division daily Covid-19 cases.
“The sector must have its internal control measures. At one time, some 50 positive cases had been detected through the sign-on and sign-out feature in the MySejahtera app to have contributed to the cases in Miri.
“This is a cause of great concern for us. We must have internal control measures for those in the sector as there are a few thousands employed there.
“At the same time, with the easing of entry restrictions into the state, we can expect more outsiders coming in,” said Lee, who is also chairing the Miri Division Disaster Management Committee (MDDMC).
He said this during a briefing on the Miri Division Covid-19 booster/third dose and adolescent vaccination rollout programme at the Curtin University Campus, here today (Oct 19).
Deputy Chief Minister cum State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas also attended the Health Department briefing.
Lee said a meeting with all the Malaysian petroleum groups was held and the group management all agreed to come up with the said internal control measures, adding that it was agreed that a low-risk treatment centre (PKRC) would be set up to accommodate employees of the oil and gas sector, and the shipping industry.
“At the PKRC, their own doctors, nurses and medical personnel will attend to those affected.”
Lee said another meeting would be held soon with state leaders to fine-tune the measures before forwarding them to the SDMC for approval.
Meanwhile, Uggah lauded MDDMC for its commendable efforts in carrying out its vaccination programme.
“Miri is the most challenging division for the task given its huge interiors in five districts, difficult terrains and the scattered nature of its rural population.
“The committee has done very well with the full cooperation of all government departments and agencies and corporate bodies, including Curtin University.
“SDMC too would like to put on record its deepest appreciation to the State Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) for allowing their helicopters to be used in forward locations to deliver the vaccines and transport medical personnel,” he said.
