Indoor ventilation guides still missing, despite more clusters at workplaces
The government has yet to issue guidelines for ventilation in enclosed spaces, including workplaces and factories, despite it being a key factor in reducing Covid-19 transmission.
Workplace clusters make up the majority of new clusters reported by the Health Ministry daily.
Out of 22 new clusters announced yesterday, 16 were found at...
The government has yet to issue guidelines for ventilation in enclosed spaces, including workplaces and factories, despite it being a key factor in reducing Covid-19 transmission.
Workplace clusters make up the majority of new clusters reported by the Health Ministry daily.
Out of 22 new clusters announced yesterday, 16 were found at workplaces. This includes eight in factories, four at construction sites, three at supermarkets and one in an office.
Last Friday, the prime minister’s special advisor on public health, Dr Jemilah Mahmood (above), said she had raised the issue of ventilation in various meetings, and urged for it to be “urgently” implemented.
“In every meeting I attend, I raise the issue of ventilation guidelines and how we need this urgently in Malaysia.
“(I am) looking forward to the National Security Council getting this done with relevant ministries. This is so important. Please, Health Ministry. We can learn from others,” she said on Twitter.
On March 1, the World Health Organisation (WHO) released a detailed guideline on indoor ventilation to reduce Covid-19 transmission.
“Understanding and controlling building ventilation can improve the quality of the air we breathe and reduce the risk of indoor health concerns including preventing the virus that causes Covid-19 from spreading indoors,” it said.
In non-residential settings, it includes using a stand-alone air cleaner with Hepa filters and stand fans, installing air extractors and opening windows when possible, the WHO’s guideline read.
The International Trade and Industry Ministry’s Safe@Work standard operating procedures for manufacturing and service industries, published in March, is silent on ventilation.
It cites the Health Ministry’s guideline published in February, which does not mention ventilation but states that employers must keep updated on the latest information on Covid-19 and management policies.
No guideline from local government ministry, either
On May 25, the Singapore government released its guideline for ventilation in enclosed spaces including shopping malls, offices, eateries, retail shops, markets and workers’ dormitories.
In Malaysia, many of the premises mentioned in the Singapore guideline would fall under the purview of the Local Government and Housing Ministry.
However, the ministry did not respond to multiple questions by Malaysiakini on whether it has or will issue guidelines for ventilation for premises under its purview.
The ministry earlier caught flak for its public sanitisation exercise, which scientists said does not stop Covid-19 transmission and has been advised against by the WHO since April.
The ongoing nationwide exercise, implemented by the Fire and Rescue Department, includes indiscriminate spraying of disinfectants on roads and sidewalks from trucks.
In response, minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said parties should not dismiss the efforts because “we don’t know where the Covid-19 viruses are”.
She did not respond when asked to reveal the cost of the public sanitisation exercise.
