Pharmaceutical Industry Exempted From Shutdown: NSC

Producers of personal protective equipment (PPE) like face masks and rubber gloves can also resume operations.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 — The pharmaceutical industry and personal protective equipment (PPE) manufacturers are allowed to resume operations during the national partial shutdown, the National Security Council (NSC) said.

NSC said in a frequently asked questions (FAQ) released yesterday that the pharmaceutical industry, including manufacturers of all medicines and chemicals, as well as producers of PPE like face masks and rubber gloves, can operate throughout enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO) until the end of the month, amid the Covid-19 outbreak.

The NSC imposed terms for such critical operations, like reducing staff numbers by at least half, checking the body temperature of workers who do not work from home, providing hand sanitisers and face masks to staff, and implementing social distancing, among others.

“The government wishes to stress that this approval can be cancelled and revoked, if industries do not comply with the conditions,” said the NSC.

In another FAQ, the NSC allowed clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies in the both public and private sectors to continue operating during the partial shutdown, as well as registered traditional medicine stores, veterinarian clinics, and dialysis centres.

Alternative treatment centres are ordered to be closed during the enforcement of the MCO. General administrative operations for health services can continue at a minimal level or work-from-home.

Patient visits are prohibited unless for critical cases, based on guidelines from the Ministry of Health (MOH).

Coronavirus cases in Malaysia have surged to 790 as of yesterday, including two deaths.

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