Selangor Journal
An eatery in Klang remains operational but had closed its dining-in section on the first day of the movement control order on March 18, 2020. — Picture by Foto HAFIZ OTHMAN/SELANGORKINI

Instant closure of business premises, stiffer legal action to break Covid-19 chain — PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 4 — Immediate closure of business premises and stiffer legal action against the operators who fail to follow the standard operating procedure (SOP) are among the measures to be implemented by the government to break the Covid-19 chain, says Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said these were among the amendments to be made to the Prevention and Control of Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) being studied by the Emergency Management Technical Committee to enable faster and sterner action to be taken.

“Compliance with the SOP at the workplace, workers’ places of accommodation, business premises and factories is important for us to break the Covid-19 chain.

“Enforcement action must be stepped up to ensure adherence to the SOP.

“Hence, the Emergency Management Technical Committee is studying the provisions in Act 342 for six amendments to be made to the act,” he said in a 40-minute special broadcast by the major television stations.

The prime minister said legal action would also be taken against errant business owners, franchisors, franchisees and other stakeholders in the business chain.

“Enforcement action will also be taken against those in the foreign workers management chain including the errant employment agencies, employers, main contractors, sub-contractors and individuals involved.

“Higher compounds will be imposed on repeat offenders or those already warned, besides imprisonment for those who flout the guidelines and SOP,” he added.

Muhyiddin said with the amendments, errant public servants too could not escape from enforcement action, as well as heads of department with regard to the work-from-home policy.

On January 16, the National Security Council (NSC) Meeting on the State of Emergency, chaired by Muhyiddin, approved the formation of the Technical Committee to ensure the nationwide emergency and arising issues would be managed smoothly at all levels.

— Bernama

 

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