KUCHING: The State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) is planning to conduct random Covid-19 testing of workers at construction sites throughout the state beginning next week.
In stating this, SDMC Chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the policy to make it compulsory for construction workers to be tested for Covid-19 would be evaluated depending on the results of the random testing.
He said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had asked the committee to focus on construction sites following the detection of a number of Covid-19 cases among foreign workers and a local construction supervisor.
“When the chief minister visited Pusa the other day, he emphasised on workers’ dormitories at construction sites.
“Now, he has directed the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR Sarawak) to come up with suitable standard operating procedures (SOPs) ensure that workers’ dormitories, especially on government projects, are to be designed in such a way that they will allow for social distancing.
“If there are 10 people in a 500 sq-foot room, there’s no social distancing,” said Uggah.
He stated this after inspecting the implementation of COVIDTrace app at Aeon Mall Kuching Central here on Sunday (Jun 28).
Uggah also revealed that SDMC had come out with the SOPs for ongoing government contracts and the state government was trying to help contractors build comfortable workers’ dormitories that could accommodate social distancing.
“We also reminded employers to take care of their workers,” he added.
If their workers tested positive for Covid-19, Uggah said construction sites would be temporarily closed down to properly monitor the areas and the other workers.
“In Kuching, these construction sites are usually near housing areas and places of worship. We are taking all these things into consideration. If there is a case, then our team will conduct a very extensive contact tracing programme,” he explained.
Uggah also revealed that SDMC was currently implementing Operations Benteng (Ops Benteng) roadblocks to prevent illegal migration at the borders.
“In my statement the other day, I mentioned that 25 individuals had tried to enter the state. We must make sure that these illegal foreign workers do not come to Sarawak.
“I hope the public will also help us prevent foreign workers from entering Sarawak illegally,” he urged.
In a statement issued on the same day by SDMC, it was revealed that there were six roadblocks in five districts throughout the state as part of Ops Benteng.
The locations comprise two places in Lundu, one place each in Bau, Serian, Sri Aman and Lubok Antu with a total of 1,286 vehicles inspected.
Asked about the costs of bringing in foreign workers, namely unskilled labourers and housemaids, Uggah said the employers would bear the total costs of the workers’ 14-day quarantine at relevant hotels and their Covid-19 tests as well.
“They have to pay RM150 per night at the hotel for two weeks and the test is at least RM300, depending on the hospitals.
“If they want to bring in workers, they must pay for hotels and testing. We want to protect all Sarawakians,” he added.
