This post is written at the APEX of COVID-19 outbreak in Malaysia with over 15K+ cases daily, it is worth mentioning this as the opportunities and opinions would definitely be skewed.

In order to construct anything meaningful, we must look at what instructions have been given to us to operate the SOPs from MKN (Malaysian National Security Council).

The SOPs for Factories Allowed to Operate

  1. Mask Wearing
  2. Documented sanitisation schedule
  3. 2x Rapid Test Kits a Week per Person for all employees (revised)
  4. 1M Social Distancing
  5. Temperature measurement daily and MyShejahtera Scan

Considerations

Transmission amongst staff due to close proximity or areas which are prone to harbouring Covid19 like poor ventilation areas such as toilets and locker-room.

Methods to Measure Health

Temperature
Oximeter
Historical Information (Individual & Those staying with them at home)
Saliva Rapid Test Kit (Self Declarations through MyShejahtera)

What have we done at FBIO?

We have implemented all the above methods to measure health followed by a full workforce which I am proud to report has been fully vaccinated.

I am looking at implementing a mouth gargling regime (morning and lunch) as well to reduce the viral load in the mouth thereby coupled with mask should result in further reduce the chance of spread.
Using povidone-iodine 1% solution has been shown to effectively reduce saliva CoronVirus load by 99%!
Ref: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41432-021-0172-4

We have also installed additional ventilation in the toilets.

Course of Action if Close Contact / Positive Case

We adopted this from a document from PKD (District Health Office) Petaling Jaya. (We have a PKD in every district. Get in touch with the one closest to you if you have further questions.)

Close Contact.

Required to quarantine for 10 days.
Perform 2 times swab test.
First swab test – Day 1-Day 4 (or as soonest possible).
Second swab test – Day 5-Day 8.
At least 1 time PCR test.

Company Premises (Sanitisation)

Identify the area/location with potential exposure.
Shut down for 1 day to perform disinfection activity.
Disinfectant agent must contain Sodium Hypochloride (Bleach) : Water (1 : 9)
Area to disinfect – door handle, floor, table etc as per MITI SOP.
Once disinfection is completed, the company can resume operation as usual.
Only those non-close contact staff can resume work.

Inevitable Disruptions

Covid is ever getting closer and affecting our production lines with close contact cases being reported weekly. For your products and/or production planning do ensure additional 1 – 2 months extra lead time regardless of which factory you are working with.

Together we can make it through, stay positive and always be hungry.