Business operators complying with swab test requirement
KOTA KINABALU: Despite being caught off guard by the sudden announcement that those going to work in Covid-19 red zones are required to undergo swab test effective today (Oct 22), coffee shop operators have no choice but to comply.
Kedai Kopi Yee Fung owner, Cheng Chew Wang, said his wife and himself, as well as nine employees, would go for the swab test in order to comply with the new directive.
“We have no choice but to take the test for our business to stay open.”
Cheng said he had voluntarily gone to the hospital for swab test in April this year and the result came back negative.
“Now that the government has made it mandatory for those going to work in red zones to undergo swab test, we will of course comply.”
He also disclosed that business has dropped 70 percent since the Movement Control Order (MCO) was imposed in March 18 this year, followed by the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) implemented in early October in which only takeaways was allowed.
Kuo Man Restaurant co-owner Chu Vui Kok also said that he would comply with the directive and take the swab test.
Nevertheless, he lamented at the abrupt announcement of the new directive and the lack of clear instructions.
“We will try to find out from the relevant authorities as to how we could apply from the Social Security Organization (Socso) to bear the cost of the swab tests for our employees before we make an appointment with Covid-19 screening centres or hospitals.”
On another note, Chu said his business had plunged 70 percent since the CMCO was imposed as the premises could only provide takeaway services.
Under such circumstances, Kuo Man Restaurant has started selling other products such as nasi lemak and ham chim peng, a traditional Chinese fried dough, to earn more revenue.
He said part of his employees have been temporarily placed on leave during this period.
Chu admitted that the mandatory Covid-19 test was a good measure to ensure food and beverage (F&B) operators were not infected, which would ensure the safety of customers and prevent the transmission of the virus.
“However, our concern is that a single swab test will not guarantee an individual is free from Covid-19.
“A person who tested negative today might contract the virus tomorrow.”
Hence, Chu wondered whether the government would make it mandatory for those going to work to undergo regular swab test and if so, would Socso continue to bear the costs.
On the other hand, a long queue was seen outside a clinic in Kota Kinabalu that provides Covid-19 screening services following the government’s announcement that employees who had to go to work in Covid-19 red zones were required to undergo swab test.