KOTA SAMARAHAN: All staff and residents of private elderly care centres are encouraged to undergo the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for Covid-19.
Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said although the test was compulsory only for public institutions, the private ones were also recommended to do so.
She pointed out that the test was important as Covid-19 posed higher risks to the elderly group.
“We understand that the private sector had to pay for it but we encourage it,” she told reporters during her official visit to Rumah Seri Kenangan Kuching located temporarily at Samarahan Rehabilitation Centre at Jalan Datuk Mohammad Musa here on Sunday (June 21).
Fatimah stressed all care institutions must follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the government.
“Outsiders must not be allowed to enter the premises, social distancing must be observed, face masks must be worn, the premises must be disinfected regularly and there should be individual-based activities,” she added.
Fatimah said the staff must go for temperature checks, wash their hands regularly and control their movements outside the premises as they had the potential to spread Covid-19 to the institution’s inhabitants.
She warned that actions including closure would be taken against institutions that failed to comply with the SOPs.
For the record, 69 residents of RSK underwent swab tests on May 20. Seven days later, all the results came back negative.
Also present were Community Wellbeing Assistant Minister Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, the ministry’s permanent secretary Dr Saadiah Abdul Samat, Sarawak Social Welfare Department head of management and strategic development Mordiah Sulaiman, RSK Visitors Board Chairman Joseph Heng and RSK principal Peter Gabong.
