KULAI: An electronics component manufacturing factory at the Senai industrial area here has been ordered to close for a week for not observing Covid-19 standard operating procedures.

       Kulai OCPD Supt Tok Beng Yeow said in addition to the closure, the factory’s management received a RM10,000 compound notice in an inspection during Ops Patuh.

       “We found that the factory failed to ensure the one-metre physical distancing rule among its workers, which is an offence under the SOP.

       “We ordered the factory to close for seven days starting July 2, which will give them time to redo the distancing and ensure that the workers follow this,” he said after the operation here on Friday (July 2).

       Supt Tok added that among the agencies involved in Ops Patuh are the police, state Health Department, Department of Occupational Safety and Health, and Kulai Municipal Council.

       “We will continue with Ops Patuh to make sure all factories and business premises around here follow the SOP in place to curb the spread of Covid-19,” he added.

       On June 21, the National Security Council (NSC) special meeting decided that the Home Ministry would lead and coordinate all aspects of enforcement related to SOP compliance during the National Recovery Plan (NRP).

       The committee comprises, among others, the NSC, Health Ministry, Finance Ministry, Armed Forces, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, International Trade and Industry Ministry, local government departments, the Civil Defence and the Road Transport Department.

       Ops Patuh will focus on the enforcement of SOP in factories and business premises that have been allowed to operate during Phase One of the NRP.