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'Swab test at Bayan Lepas factory lacked SOP compliance'

BAYAN LEPAS: Thousands of workers at a factory here waited in angst since this morning for their turn to take swab tests for Covid-19.

Until now, the factory management has kept mum as to whether positive Covid-19 cases were reported in the factory.

Checks by the New Straits Times this afternoon showed some had to wait for up to seven hours for their turn for the swab tests.

Several workers who were approached outside the factory were clearly agitated with the way the management handled the swab tests, done by a privately-engaged company.

They lamented on the absence of the standard operating procedure (SOP) throughout the screening process, with workers queueing up close to one another during the wait.

A worker, who only wanted to be known as Man, in his 20s, said he purposely waited outside the factory until the crowd thinned before going in for the swab test.

"There is an absence of SOP. People were lining up very close to one another...there is no one-metre distance between them. It was frightening.

"To compound matters, we only found out that the swab tests were conducted by a private company instead of the Health Ministry when we came to have the test done," he said, adding that the company had sent him a WhatsApp to be present at 3pm.

Man said when he arrived at 3pm, those who were asked to come in the morning, had not finished yet.

"We are in the dark as to the Covid-19 cases in the factory but we believe there may be a few cases since we were called in for screening," he said.

There are some 6,000 people working in the factory, including foreign workers.

Another worker, known only as Zul, in his 30s, said the factory was closed today to facilitate the screening.

"We are not sure how long the factory will be closed.

"Just look at the large crowd there, I will just stand outside until the crowd gets smaller before going in," he added.

A father, who was sending his 23-year-old son for the swab test, was shocked to see the large crowd, each standing inches away from one another.

The man who identified himself as Joe, 45, said he could only advise his son to have his face mask on at all times and observe the one-metre physical distancing.

"From what I see, the situation is very dangerous. The virus can easily spread among the workers," he added.

Further checks showed the security guards were covering a notice by the Health Ministry on the closure of the premises.

Several health workers were spotted at about 3.30pm to discuss with the management on the poor handling of the swab tests.

Meanwhile, southwest district police chief Superintendent A. A. Anbalagan said police was alerted to the matter at about 3.30pm.

"We came to control the crowd and assist the Health Ministry during the swab testing process due to the large number of workers.

"We also ensure that the SOP is observed," he added when contacted.

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