COVID-19 preventive measures must be enforced in temporary flood relief centres to prevent the spread of infections, said director-general of health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

There are currently 18 relief centres open in seven districts in the wake of floods in certain places in Johor, Pahang, Selangor and Malacca.

The centres currently house 1,267 victims from 303 families.

“The crowded flood relief centres can bring the risk of Covid-19 infections among victims and staff,” he said in a statement today.

On that note, Noor Hisham said preventive measures have to be observed by not only victims but also the agencies responsible for  managing them and their welfare.

He also advised those involved to practise social distancing, handwashing with soap and water as well cough and cold etiquettes at all times.

“All flood relief centres must put up social distance signs in common areas,” he said.

In addition to that, the centres will also have to prepare soap, water and hand sanitisers in strategic locations such as entrances and exits.

Cubicles, tents or partitions must be erected as a distance of at least 2m, if possible.

The ministry has also developed guidelines for the flood relief centres, right from the evacuation process to the placement of victims at the centres.

The guidelines – which can also be used when managing other forms of disasters – also require relief centres to provide three-ply masks for symptomatic occupants.

Food should also be packed individually or in containers.

Besides that, the centres should also prepare mobile toilets and frequently sanitise common areas.

Isolation spaces should also be prepared to keep away those with symptoms as well as those who are close contacts of cases or those who have traveled overseas. – July 15, 2020.