Bernama quoted Ismail as saying this was to avoid a repeat of the congestion that was seen at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium recently, when migrant workers and other foreigners were allowed to walk in for their vaccinations.

He said he met the health secretary-general and director-general recently and told them that these factories can be used as PPVs so that workers do not have to crowd other PPVs.

“When we saw the incident at the Bukit Jalil Stadium, we were worried. Even the people were concerned,” he said.

He added that factories could also purchase their own vaccines as this would be faster than waiting for appointments to be given, especially since premises with up to 80% of employees fully immunised are now allowed to operate.

“I believe the cost of the vaccines are not that high compared to the losses they will sustain by not being able to operate,” he said.

He also urged for more drive-through vaccination centres to be set up as this would resolve the issue of crowds, adding that this was practiced by the army.

Previously, walk-in vaccinations for foreigners in the Klang Valley were only permitted at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium PPV.

But the Covid-19 immunisation task force (CITF) decided to stop offering this facility from Aug 23 after crowds of foreign nationals flooded the PPV at the stadium to get their jabs, particularly on weekends.

Pictures of the crowd had gone viral, showing the stadium stands packed with hopeful vaccine recipients with little physical distancing observed. Enforcement authorities later stepped in to ensure standard operating procedures were complied with.

CITF said it was terminating the walk-in facility to ensure that the vaccination process was conducted in a safer and more conducive environment, with jabs now only being given through appointments.

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