PUTRAJAYA: The Greater Klang Valley Task Force, formed to address the Covid-19 pandemic, will work closely with the economic sectors to ensure that they are more accountable for the safety of the workplaces when they are allowed to operate.
Health deputy director-general (public health) Datuk Dr Chong Chee Kheong said the initiative was part of its four-point strategy in managing the pandemic in the Klang Valley.
"We are aware that the movement control order has a negative impact on the economic sector. But at the same time, if we allow them to operate, we must ensure that they will take more responsibilities in ensuring that they form the Safe Work Bubble initiative introduced by the International Trade and Industry Ministry.
"We also want them to have a detection system (of infections) as we do not want people to come in late into our (healthcare) system. If it is early, we can treat (the cases), but if it is later, we cannot do so. So, they must take more responsibilities for this," he said during a special press conference at the Health Ministry here today.
Dr Chong, who heads the task force as the Unified Command Centre commander in Selangor, said, they would work with external experts to seek opinions and consensus to move forward as well as to empower the public about keeping themselves safe against the virus as well as to ramp up the Covid-19 vaccination rate.
The task force's main objective was to alleviate the strain and burden of the healthcare system following the surge of the Covid-19 infections in the Klang Valley, he said.
"We have the clout to make quick decisions at ground level. We make decisive decisions on procurement, mobilisation of resources and on other aspects like oxygen supplies, beds, modular Intensive Care Units and other areas.
"The strength of the task force is in the rapid decision makings and actions. This will immediately help us in reducing the stress on the health care system at the same time," he said.
Dr Chong also said he and Selangor Health director Datuk Dr Sha'ari Ngadiman had visited problem areas as new localities that could potentially be used as new Covid-19 treatment centres or quarantine centres to ease the existing burden and provide temporary relief to the dire situation.
After Selangor, Dr Chong said their next task was to resolve similar issues in Kuala Lumpur.
However, Dr Chong was of the opinion that the best solution to arrest the rise of new Covid-19 infections was getting the population vaccinated.
"The only solution besides the Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedures is still the vaccines. We hope the public will come forward, register and get the vaccination. The ministry and the Covid-19 Task Force will ramp up inoculation efforts," he said.