As the number of Covid-19 infections is increasing across the island, the management of MAS is paying close attention to its manufacturing facilities that have detected a number of employees with the virus.
Each of these facilities works closely with regional Medical Officers and Health and Public Health Inspectors to monitor the situation at the plants and in their communities. Stringent preventative measures recommended by the authorities have been adhered to as an ongoing policy, a company spokesman said.
Unless otherwise directed by the PHI, infected employees and any other infected family members are admitted to the MAS Covid-19 Care Centre in Giriulla, managed by the Ministry of Health.
• Linea Aqua - Hanwella
Based on contact tracing and testing that was conducted, 154 employees have tested positive for Covid-19 since December 31. Following the advice of local authorities, the facility was closed from January 1-6, as a precautionary measure and re-opened with a limited number of employees on-site. Continuous contact tracing and follow up testing will take place along with sanitising the facility as an ongoing preventative measure.
• Unichela - Panadura
The plant re-commenced operations on December 28 after a brief closure, adhering to the re-opening procedure advised by the health authorities. During the past week, 35 more employees were detected with the virus, bringing the total infected at the plant to 120, of which 60 employees have since recovered and discharged from their respective care centres.
• Thurulie – Thulhiriya
As a result of ongoing random testing, 123 employees have tested positive as at date and over 900 close contacts of the infected employees have been placed in self-quarantine. The plant has ceased operations for the shift that was impacted between December 23 and January 4.
However, the plant continues to operate with those employees who are cleared to come into work by the authorities and the management. Ongoing testing is being conducted to identify any further infections and the mandated preventive measures are being adhered to diligently. All employees affected were transferred to the MAS Care Centre in Giriulla and as of date, seven people have been discharged.
• Countourline – Pallakelle
Forty-nine of our associates have tested positive during testing conducted last week, resulting in the closure of the plant on January 4. All these individuals have been transferred to the Care Centre. Health and Safety protocols have been strictly adhered to at all times at the plant, which has enabled staff members to clearly identify those who had contracted the virus.
All contacts have been asked to self-quarantine and the plant continues to operate based on the directives of the government and local health authorities.
MAS has also taken measures to take care of our associates and provide them with the necessary facilities during this time in quarantine. Further testing is ongoing based on the analysis and recommendations of the PHI, MOH and the Epidemiology Unit.
“Several of our other facilities in Sri Lanka have also recorded a handful of cases among their associates and continue following protocols to trace, test and isolate where needed. At all times and at all our facilities, the health and care of our associates is our primary concern. MAS is actively cooperating with the local health authorities, while conforming to their recommendations and assists in providing information in a transparent manner,” he said.