‘Accept Covid-19 digital certificates as MC’ (Poll Inside)

PETALING JAYA: Employers have been urged to accept the digital Home Surveillance Order (HSO) certificate issued to Covid-19 patients as it is valid under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, says the Health Ministry.

The five-day HSO starts from the date of the onset of Covid-19 symptoms, it said.

In a post on its Facebook page yesterday, it gave an example of an individual who developed symptoms on Dec 1 but only tested positive on Dec 3, in which case the HSO would span from Dec 1-5.

The ministry also urged employers to accept the digital HSO certificate via MySejahtera.

“The digital certificate is valid under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.

“Employers are also strongly encouraged to allow workers who are symptomatic but have tested negative for Covid-19 to work from home.

“Individuals who are given digital HSO need to take a screencap of the screen display to update their employers,” the Health ministry said.

It also urged employees to be honest when reporting their Covid-19 status.

The HSO is generally used as a valid medical certificate for those under quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad had previously advised those who are symptomatic and in crowded places to wear a mask.

He said the government does not intend to reinstate restrictions such as the movement control order at present, despite the recent spike in Covid-19 cases in Malaysia.

The situation was still under control and healthcare facilities were not burdened as a result of the ministry’s strengthening the Covid-19 management plan, which outlines five main strategies, he said.

A total of 20,696 Covid-19 cases were reported during the 50th Epidemiology Week (ME) from Dec 10 to Dec 16, which is an increase of 62.2% compared to 12,757 cases in ME-49.