PUTRAJAYA: A standard operating procedure (SOP) for the entry of foreign workers into the country has been approved to meet workforce demand by the plantation sector, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

       He said the same SOP will later be enforced on all sectors and approval to bring in workers from abroad will be on a case-by-case basis.

       The procedure was presented by the Human Resources Ministry at the Covid-19 pandemic management special committee meeting.

       “The quota (of workers) and date of entry for foreign workers will depend on the decision to be jointly made by the Home and Human Resources Ministries,” he said on Friday (Oct 22).

       Among conditions listed for pre-departure are that foreign workers will have to be fully-vaccinated, undergo RT-PCR tests 72 hours before leaving the country of origin and to present vaccination certificates on arrival.

       The foreign workers are to enter only via KL International Airport and klia2.

       They will have to undergo a seven-day quarantine, which will be coordinated by the Health Ministry and a RT-PCR test will be done on the second and fifth day of quarantine.

       Those found to be positive will be isolated at private low-risk quarantine centres (PKRC), while those in categories 3, 4 and 5 will be referred to private hospitals.

       Once quarantine is completed and the workers are confirmed to be negative, they will be taken to their employers.

       “The success in bringing the country out of the pandemic does not solely depend on the government’s initiatives and strategies only.

       “In fact, it relies heavily on the level of SOP compliance among the public. Therefore, please continue to put on face masks, practise physical distancing and always look after one’s personal hygiene and safety,” said the Prime Minister.