By Nadiah Zamlus
SHAH ALAM, Dec 16 — State executive councillor for public health Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud advised the public against stigmatising foreign workers following the rise in Covid-19 cases involving the group.
Dr Siti Mariah said this was because the foreigners’ infection began in the local community before spreading to others at their workers’ hostels.
“As a matter of fact, the virus is already here within our community, but the impact on this group is larger due to their confined and congested living spaces, thus enabling the infections to spread more rapidly.
“It is different from the locals who have better living spaces compared to them. Therefore, when there are announcements of a rise in Covid-19 cases involving the foreign workers, we should not stigmatise them,” she told SelangorKini when contacted.
Explaining further, Dr Siti Mariah urged the public to continue following the standard operating procedures (SOPs), especially when meeting high-risk groups.
“This pandemic did not stem from any specific group (of people) but is already in (our) community, therefore we must protect high-risk groups such as babies, senior citizens and those with illness.
“If there are no urgent matters, stay at home to stop this pandemic from spreading further,” she added.