Speaking at a press conference today, Ismail said the closure was to allow factory workers to undergo screenings and mandatory quarantine in an effort to contain the spread of the virus among Top Glove employees.
“I am made to understand that for today, there are 1,067 positive cases. On the advice of the health ministry, at today’s meeting we have agreed to close these factories in stages,” he said.
As of Nov 23, the health ministry had carried out 5,794 screenings and a total of 1,889 positive cases were identified.
Previously, Ismail said an enhanced movement control order (EMCO) was implemented at the workers’ dormitory from Nov 17 until Nov 30.
Ismail said the EMCO would affect 13,190 workers and nearly 1,200 of the area’s residents.
He announced that the company’s men’s dormitory on Jalan Abadi 1A/QU8, the women’s dormitory on Jalan Abadi 1A and Jalan Abadi 10A/KU8 would be under lockdown.
“This will allow the health ministry to continue screening the workers and residents in the area,” he added.
Top Glove management later said the company will cooperate fully to implement the “temporary stoppage” of its plants in Meru, Klang.
Production had been temporarily stopped at all 16 factories in Meru, Klang since Nov 18, while the remaining 12 facilities have been operating at reduced capacity.
The company also said it had completed screening 5,700 of its workers at the hostels.
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