NSC: Walk-Ins At Clinics, Pharmacies, Health Facilities Discouraged Unless Emergency

Always wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when dealing with customers.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 – The National Security Council (NSC) has listed several safe-distancing protocols for clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, diagnostic centres, and other health facilities when the economy reopens on May 4.

According to the guidance released on NSC’s Telegram channel, Majlis Keselamatan Negara (Rasmi), medical facilities are to set up online or phone appointment systems, while discouraging walk-ins except in cases of emergency.

“Our constant instruction is to always wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when dealing with customers,” said NSC.

Health facilities are also to ensure safe distancing of one metre among customers, to limit the number of customers at any one time, and to limit the number of companions, except for those accompanying young children or senior citizens.

Medical facilities must provide body temperature checks for customers and reduce the number of entry points at the premise to control movements.

Staff’s health status must be recorded every time they clock in, while their absence must also be monitored.

Health facilities must provide basic protective gear like 3-ply surgical masks and hand sanitisers and give such masks to customers who display symptoms like fever and cold, besides doing Covid-19 screening according to guidelines. Symptomatic customers should not be allowed entry, except for hospitals and clinics. Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be changed when they get dirty.

Frequently touched surfaces must be disinfected at least twice a day, while facilities frequently used by customers like the washroom must always be clean. Clinical waste must be disposed of correctly. Hand sanitisers and soap and water must also be provided.

Medical facilities must ensure good ventilation in their premises, while confined spaces like the pantry and surau should be avoided.

These guidelines for the health sector apply to hospitals and medical clinics, dental clinics, pharmacies, diagnostic centres, traditional and complementary medicine facilities, care centres, birthing centres, physiotherapy or rehabilitation centres, dialysis centres, optometry facilities, and medical laboratories.

Aesthetic, massage, and reflexology centres are not allowed to reopen when the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) comes into effect next Monday.

The NSC has released standard operating procedures (SOPs) for 25 sectors that will resume business operations on May 4.

SOP For Eateries

All types of eateries, including restaurant, food trucks, food courts kiosk and more, markets with premises and without premises; as well as assorted food and drinks businesses are required to record workers’ body temperature during work, practice social distancing, use hand sanitisers, and maintain cleanliness and sanitation by using biodegradable disposable cutleries and cleaning liquid approved by the Ministry of Health that has sodium hypochlorite, at all times.

Premised businesses must ensure tables arranged with 2m distance between each other, and only four people are allowed per table. They must also record the full names, IC numbers, mobile numbers and temperature of all staff and customers every day.

Non-premised businesses must control the number of customers at any one time.

For markets, there may be changes in operation hours; and disinfection is a must after work hours every day.

For assorted food and drinks businesses, number of customers must be controlled, and face masks are a must.

SOP For Transport

For scheduled flights including domestic and international, as well as general aviation including business and private jet operations, businesses are required to employ thermal scanners at airport terminal entrances, make compulsory the usage of masks, distancing among guests during boarding, during meal service and in the plane, not allowing seat preference block, clean toilets at least once after five times’ use, and conduct disinfection after operation.

For airports, aviation schools and the like, operators must monitor for Covid-19 symptoms among travellers, customers and workers via body temperature screening. They are also required to make hand sanitiser and face masks compulsory for travellers.

Workers must also wear rubber gloves. The Emergency Operation Centre and Airport Crisis Management Team must be at standby for further instructions at any time.

As for maritime, ports, and ferry services must follow the habits of new norms, like face masks, social distancing, and usage of thermal scanners. They must also encourage the usage of contactless payment.

For taxi and e-hailing services, operators must ensure only two customers are allowed in one vehicle at one time. Online payment must be encouraged, and face masks and hand sanitisers must be used.

For train services including KTM, RAPIDRAIL and ERL, face masks and sanitisers are a must. All trains and facilities must be cleaned after every trip and at the depot after operation. Ticket buying should be encouraged to be done online. Thermal scanner to be installed in every premise and station. A 1m distance is also to be followed.

As for logistics, freight forwarder services, hauler lorries, shipping line, storing activities and many more, loading and unloading must be done by warehouse workers. Warehouse storing, off dock, and in-land container depots etc must use hand sanitiser and practice 1m distance between people.

Conductors are only allowed for vehicles more than 2 tonnes only. Sanitisation must be done frequently and cashless transactions and contactless payment must be encouraged.

SOP For Offices

All offices must undergo disinfection processes. Cleaning must be done three times a day, especially in common spaces like the lobby, lift, cafeteria, washrooms, meeting rooms, and more. The disinfection must be done before operation begins. Sanitisers must be provided in entrances and other areas.

Social distancing must be practiced in premises, with a 1m gap introduced between tables, especially in canteens, meeting rooms, prayer rooms etc.

Lunch hours are to be scheduled in phases, depending on the companies. All office vehicles must undergo disinfection services.

Each company must create an Emergency Response Protocol Taskforce to manage emergency cases (positive Covid-19 or suspected of Covid-19).

Companies will pay for health screening of workers if needed, as well as for disinfection services.

As for the manufacturing sector, employers must create a protocol for the company, that includes disease monitoring and prevention of the spread of disease as per MOH standards.

Companies must also provide thermal scanners or other temperature checking devices for workers to be screened every day.

If more than 5 per cent of workers are no-show to work due to fever or any other symptoms, employers must report it to the nearest health office. Workers with temperatures more than 37.5℃ will be required to be sent to the nearest clinic and not allowed to attend work on that day.

Sanitisation and disinfection must be done, especially in common spaces three times a day, and face masks are compulsory for all workers. Usage of common spaces by many at once is prohibited and must be controlled.

In worker accommodation, social distancing is to be adhered, and disinfection must be done every day.

SOP For Worker Accommodation

As for staff-centred accommodation, hostel, and worker dormitories in the manufacturing sector and other sectors, as well as workers in machinery management sectors (lift, escalator and many more), the service sector, and tower crane maintenance workers in construction sites, social distancing and usage of hand sanitisers and face masks are a must.

Temperatures of workers must be recorded every day, and all areas must be cleaned three times a day. Only two people are allowed per table. Exposed parts of machines must also be cleaned every time before usage.

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