PETALING JAYA: Procedures have been put in place to deal with floods while ensuring compliance with Covid-19 protocols, says Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

       He added that the monsoon season is expected to last until March 2022 based on statements by the Malaysian Meteorological Department.

       “In that period, four to six episodes of heavy rains are expected, with a high probability of floods. However, managing floods during a pandemic brings about its own challenges for victims and responsible agencies.

       “To combat this ‘disaster within a disaster’, the Health Ministry, together with National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), has issued an SOP (standard operating procedure) as a guideline for all agencies involved in flood management.

       “At the same time, new normal procedures have to be practised throughout the rescue and moving of victims until they are safely placed at temporary evacuation centres (PPS),” he said in his daily Covid-19 update yesterday.

       Those who test positive for Covid-19 will be isolated and placed in quarantine centres, special PPS, or referred to the hospital as needed.

       Close contacts will be quarantined at special PPS or at separate blocks at the evacuation centres. Victims who have tested negative but show symptoms will also be quarantined.

       “For high-risk groups such as pregnant women and the elderly, careful planning must be conducted to transfer them early so that they have direct access to medical aid,” he said.