THE International Trade and Industry Ministry has revoked the approvals of four companies that violated guidelines on health precautions and the movement control order.

Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali said this in a live telecast speech from Putrajaya, adding that investigations are also being conducted by the Labour Department and police against 35 companies reported to have violated conditions set by his ministry.

“Companies that are allowed to operate must comply with the standard operating procedures (SOP) that have been established for the respective sectors,” he said, without naming any company.

He said enforcement units, comprising the Public Works Department, Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), Kuala Lumpur City Hall other local authorities, and the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (Dosh), will monitor and enforce compliance by approved companies as well as take action against those that operate without approval.

Companies that fail to comply with the SOPs face immediate revocation of their approval to operate as well as legal action, he said.

Failure to comply with the SOPs amounts to a criminal offence under Regulation 11 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the Infected Local Areas) (No. 2) Regulations 2020.

Meanwhile, Azmin said the construction industry must adhere to conditions set by the Works Ministry and the CIDB as follows:

* Companies must reduce the number of workers to the bare minimum or not exceeding 50% of what is currently needed;

* Companies must fully cooperate with Health Ministry in executing contact tracing of workers that have been infected with Covid-19;

* Companies must provide transportation for workers and practice social/safe distancing and the vehicles used have to be sanitised before and after use;

* Companies must disseminate information and guidelines in respect of dealing with Covid-19 to their value chains; and,

* In cases where companies provide Centralised Labour Quarter (CLQ) facilities, they must comply with the CLQ guidelines as well as guidelines on Construction Workers Accommodation During MCO issued by CIDB or other relevant agencies.

The Cabinet has agreed to allow additional economic sectors to operate in phases subject to compliance with health guidelines and strict movement control.

The sectors are:

* Automotive;

* Machinery and equipment;

* Aerospace;

* Construction projects and services related to construction works;

* Science, professional and technical services; including research & development (R&D);

* Social health services including registered traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) practitioners;

* Hardware shops, electrical and electronics (E&E) shops in the wholesale and retail segments; and,

* Laundry services. – April 16, 2020.