By Karen Bong
KUCHING, April 17: E-hailing riders and drivers including staff of restaurants providing food delivery service must undergo health screening for Covid-19 at clinics and hospitals.
Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this was to ensure their safety and health, as they are in constant contact with customers when delivering orders.
“Our meeting has decided that to ensure the safety and health of those in food delivery services, they are required to undergo screening, which can be done at any health clinics or hospital in their respective districts.
“For the sake of their health, we want them to be screened,” he told a daily press conference on movement control order (MCO) updates in Putrajaya today.
Ismail Sabri said that the Transport Ministry will issue the order to over 40 e-hailing companies operating in Malaysia, while the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) would give instructions to restaurants or fast food outlets to make sure those providing food delivery services go for Covid-19 test.
Noting that there were independent e-hailing providers or workers in small towns, he urged them to register with the local authorities in their respective areas.
“We know that e-hailing companies may not be operating in smaller towns so in these areas, there are workers who are hired for delivery services.
“We urged them to registered with their local councils or authorities so that we can locate them,” he added.
Ismail Sabri clarified that e-hailing services including fast food outlets, which provide food delivery, can continue to operate throughout MCO even though physical set up of Ramadan bazaars and stalls will not be allowed this year.
He also reported that 1,057 individuals have been detained yesterday (April 16) for flouting the MCO. Of the arrests made, 906 were remanded and 151 released on bail.
Authorities conducted 813 roadblocks nationwide yesterday and checked 557,699 vehicles. — DayakDaily
