Association to provide face masks for security guards

PETALING JAYA: About 40,000 face masks will be distributed to security guards who are also frontliners in the fight to curb the spread of Covid-19, says Datuk Seri Ramli Yusuff.

The Security Services Association of Malaysia (PIKM) president said the association had identified 35 hospitals used for Covid-19 quarantine and 459 health clinics nationwide, where security guards were the frontliners assisting in the battle against the virus.

“We will distribute the face masks in stages starting with Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

In a press conference at PIKM headquarters, he underlined the role of frontliners played by security guards.

“In hospitals or health clinics, the guards are often the first to encounter patients or visitors.

Thus they must have proper attire, especially face masks,” he said.

Distributing the face masks, he added, was a proactive measure by the association.

“We have 902 companies in the association. We will try our best to ensure that the guards are equipped with face masks.

“The government has prioritised giving out personal protective equipment (PPE) to government frontliners, and we understand that there are reasons why it has not provided such aid to security guards,” he said.

Still, Ramli hoped the government would eventually provide the guards with the necessary attire and equipment.