MAS Holdings: All precautions taken after few employees test positive for COVID-19

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – Despite all the safety protocols it had in place, MAS Holdings – Sri Lanka’s largest garments maker – said in a statement on Monday that it has received reports of a few of its employees – residents of the high-risk areas – who have been infected by COVID-19.

“We are committed to supporting these individuals and their families and ensuring they return to good health as soon as possible,” it said.

In order to ensure the wellbeing of all its employees and stakeholders, together with the government health authorities, the company said it has carried out the following protocols at all its facilities:

* It took immediate action to close all its facilities in police curfew areas on October 4 including MAS Active Sleekline in Nittambuwa, since the first alerts of the Minuwangoda cluster.

* All high-risk individuals who were based in, or otherwise associated with those facilities were requested to self-quarantine and are undergoing PCR tests.

* Unfortunately, these tests identified a few infected employees and they are currently receiving treatment at state hospitals and we will continue to monitor their condition closely.

* We have assisted the authorities with contact tracing of individuals that have been identified as close contacts of those infected employees. These contacts will also now undergo PCR testing in collaboration with Government Health Authorities.

* All facilities that have remained closed since October 4 will undergo a rigorous risk assessment with the health authorities before re-opening.

* On-site protocols for social distancing, sanitization and hygiene measures are in place and will be strictly enforced once operations re-commence.

* In line with the recommendations of the authorities the company has also commenced PCR testing at all other operating MAS locations across the country. At this time all results have been negative, but “we do understand that this situation is dynamic and have issued guidelines to our teams in the eventuality that individuals that have been infected are identified”.

* The company will continue to monitor the situation proactively in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and take necessary action to prevent the spread of the virus within its facilities.

* A 24-Hour COVID Helpline has been set up for internal staff to receive advise, assistance and have their grievances addressed during this difficult time.

“We will provide timely updates on the situation in full transparency to prevent the spread of unchecked and false information, and humbly request that we all respect the privacy of the diagnosed and exposed individuals,” the statement said.