Factories the Main Source of Malaysia's COVID-19 Surge

Factories were one of the main source of COVID-19 with the much-reported outbreaks at Top Glove and other manufacturers.

“But it is the public who is paying the heavy price with lockdowns!” says a netizen.

Factories are not in lockdowns with the authorities reasoning that such places are producing for export, bringing in revenue for the country.

However, many among the public are having difficulties making ends meet and the ‘aids’ from the government is barely covering a few days of expenses.

On May 2, SHH Resources Holdings Bhd’s wholly-owned subsidiaries SHH Furniture Industries Sdn Bhd (SFI) and Kurnia Sejati Sdn Bhd (KS) have shut their manufacturing facilities located in Kawasan Perindustrian Pagoh in Muar.

The shutdown will be until May 14. The company says this was necessary after some employees tested positive for Covid-19.

This is the second shutdown that its unit SFI has had in less than three weeks, The Edge says.

On April 27, the group announced that SFI had implemented a seven-day stoppage at its manufacturing facilities, from April 27 to May 3, as an employee tested positive for Covid-19.

Factory spread is almost 50% of the COVID-19 outbreaks in Malaysia. Second, (see the picture above) is community spread and this has to do with bazaars, prayer halls and the long list of activities published.

Construction sites, detention centres and educational sites are next in the list of main spreaders.

Should factories be given a break to stop the rise of the pandemic in Malaysia?