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Over 40 mall employees tested positive

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Employees and shoppers at The Spring being directed to undergo swab tests. Photo: The Spring’s Facebook

KUCHING: Over 40 employees of The Spring Shopping Mall here have tested positive for Covid-19 today, resulting in an urgent active case detection (ACD) operation at the mall.

Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said this is based on the information from the Kuching Division Health Office (PKB Kuching).

“Thanks, PKB Kuching for the swift action. Long hours ahead as all the close contacts of the over 40 workers — families, friends and colleagues — for the last 14 days will need to have to go through Covid-19 risk assessment and/or PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tested,” he said in a Facebook post today.

In the meantime, he urged all close contacts to undergo self-quarantine until their swab test results are out to not potentially spread the virus to others.

Dr Sim, who is also Sarawak Disaster Management Committee advisor, said he had requested the Health Ministry (MoH) to come up with strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) for locations that have positive cases.

He said these SOPs should spell out details on closure for disinfection, Covid-19 risk assessment and testing for staff members, and accredited disinfecting companies or MoH-approved disinfectants.

In light of this, The Spring Shopping Mall has initiated a temporary closure.

It assured that its team are working closely with the MoH to conduct mass Covid-19 swab tests for all of its employees and retailers.

“We believe we must assure you and let you know what steps and actions our team is taking to prioritise your wellbeing whilst ensuring business continuity for our retailers,” it said on its Facebook page today.

The mall also apologised to its shoppers who had been asked to undergo swab tests today as well, attributing this to a miscommunication among the authorities involved.

Earlier, posts were circulating on social media showing shoppers prevented from leaving the shopping mall and being directed to undergo swab tests.

“The Spring Shopping Mall has always taken your health, safety and overall wellbeing seriously. Therefore, we as a company are committed to our role in this community to do what’s right.

“Let us remember that the fight against Covid-19 is not over. We must continue to do our part to protect each other to stay safe, vigilant and remain optimistic,” it added.

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