The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted every corner of the globe. No one has been left out and the virus definitely does not discriminate.

And in recent weeks, our neighbours have been hard hit by the virus which has forced the Malaysian government to take drastic measures such as the restriction movement order.

Jurong East Hall Used To House M’sian Workers Closes As Demand Too Low

The Malaysian government has been forced to implement a partial lockdown of its borders and this has resulted in Malaysians who work in Singapore being left without accommodation.

Since then, various initiatives have been put in place to ensure that these workers are not left stranded.

One of them is the Jurong East sports hall being converted into a temporary shelter for Malaysian workers.

However, if you’ve always wanted to pay a visit with some goodies for the workers, you can’t anymore.

The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) announced that the facility was no longer required after the “groundswell of community support to house these workers” as well as the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) efforts to help employers to find somewhere for them to stay.

Around 30 Malaysian Workers Slept There In Past Week

MSF said that around 30 Malaysian workers have slept there in the past week since it was set up last Tuesday.

It was just the night before that Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had made the shocking announcement about the partial border closure.

During the week, MOM and the police also stepped up patrols to check on Malaysian workers who were sleeping in public areas.

The MOM then called their employers to make sure that they arranged for a proper place to stay for them.

Singapore & Malaysia Government Agreed That 300,000 Malaysia Workers Can Work In S’pore

The partial lockdown in Malaysia is expected to last until 31 March.

However, on Monday, Singapore and Malaysian governments have come to an agreement that the 300,000 Malaysian workers can continue to work in Singapore during this period

This came with terms that include making sure that Singapore provides these workers with housing for two weeks and that they screen their health before they return to Malaysia.

A MOM official also said that around 2,000 employers and 10,000 Malaysian workers had received assistance from a multi-agency group set up to find accommodation for the workers.

It was added that employers who fail to provide accommodation for their workers will face consequences and might be barred from hiring foreign workers.

For our Malaysian friends who still do not have any place to stay can contact the ministry at [email protected]

Jurong East Sports Hall Initiative

It had taken less than two days for MSF to take action and come up with a plan to house Malaysians.

Staff at the Jurong East Sports Hall also sprang to action fast and turned the sports hall into suitable accommodation for workers in quick timing.

At the Sports Hall, Malaysians registered and were provided with a bag of necessities such as toiletries, a towel and toilet paper as well as a sleeping bag.

They were also able to take showers at the shower facilities available at the Sports Hall, while members of the public were asked to cancel their sports hall bookings last minute.

Malaysia Lockdown Might Extend Beyond 31 March 

Malaysia Prime Minister has said that they might have to extend the lockdown beyond 31 March if the COVID-19 in Malaysia has not been contained.

He explained that the reason for the lockdown is because the incubation period for the coronavirus is 14 days, and the goal is for all infected patients to be quarantined and the virus to be eradicated.

However, if the virus is not contained by 31 March 2020, the Government might be forced to extend the Movement Restriction Order beyond that date.