KUALA TERENGGANU: Although a prison is relatively safe from Covid-19 as its inmates lack interaction with the outside world, the Marang Prison has taken precautions to reduce the risk of infection.
Marang Prison director Assistant Commissioner Wan Sani Abd Latiff said screening of all personnel and visitors has been conducted and those with body temperatures exceeding 36 degrees Celsius are not allowed in.
“All staff and visitors are also required to use hand sanitisers and face masks. The management has also prepared a rest house for officers who have completed their guard duty at hospital wards to clean themselves up before heading home,“ he told Bernama when contacted, here today.
No Covid-19 cases have been reported at the Marang Prison, which has 2,910 inmates and 398 staff, he added.
He said about 25 personnel from the Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) unit and Terengganu Fire and Rescue Department carried out cleaning and disinfection exercises at the prison this morning.
“As an additional precautionary measure, new prisoners will be screened outside the main entrance and those experiencing Covid-19 symptoms will undergo medical examination and be quarantined in separate rooms.
“The prison personnel are also practising social distancing at work as advised by the Health Ministry,“ he said, adding that officers have been briefed by the prison’s health personnel on the threat posed by the virus. - Bernama
