COVID-19 Archives

Proton continues to provide help in fight against COVID-19

Back in March this year, as the COVID-19 pandemic began to surge across the country (and world), Proton quickly arranged to provide the Ministry of Health (MoH) with 50 vehicles to help their frontliners move around to any hotspots in need of urgent attention.

The fight against COVID-19 has not ended and throughout the year, Proton has been actively supporting the MoH in various ways. Recently, it also loaned 8 units of the Proton X70 to the ministry for use in Sabah.

Help in logistics and surveillance efforts
The SUVs will be used to assist in the ministry’s logistics and surveillance efforts in the ongoing COVID-19 fight. The hand-over was carried out at Fook Loi Corporation, a Proton dealership in Kota Kinabalu.

“The Covid-19 pandemic is probably one of the most challenging times we have faced as a nation. As a Malaysian brand, Proton feels that it is our duty to step up, and we have been supporting the government’s efforts from the outset. Logistics in Sabah is far more challenging than in the peninsular. This next batch of X70s will act as ferry vehicles for doctors, nurses and MoH officials as and when needed. We hope our contribution will help to ease the logistical needs of medical frontliners in Sabah,” said Roslan Abdullah, CEO of Proton Edar.

Besides providing vehicles, Proton also produced 60,000 units of face shields in April at their Shah Alam factory in Selangor. The face shields, essential items in the Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), were distributed to government hospitals in the country, as well as other frontliners such as members of the police and armed forces.

Cleaner cabin environment in Proton X70 with use of N95 filter

George Russell to take Lewis Hamilton’s place for this weekend’s race in Bahrain

Lewis Hamilton is under self-isolation due to a positive result in COVID-19 tests and will be unable to race at the Sakhir Grand Prix this weekend. Taking his place is a fellow British driver, George Russell who has been released by Williams Racing, his current team.

“First and foremost, I wish to thank our loyal partners at Williams for their collaboration and open-mindedness in making it possible for George to race for Mercedes-AMG this weekend. The conversations with the team at Williams were positive and pragmatic, and those were the key factors in reaching an agreement,” said Team Principal and CEO Toto Wolff.

“It will not be a straightforward task for George to make the transition from the Williams to the W11, but he is race-ready and has detailed understanding of the 2020 tyres and how they perform on this generation of cars. George has shown impressive form this year with Williams, playing an instrumental role in their climb up the grid, and I am optimistic that he will deliver a strong performance alongside Valtteri, who will be a demanding reference for him,” said Wolff.

‘*63′ is George Russell’s racing number which will replace ’44’ on Lewis Hamilton’s car.*

Mercedes-Benz Junior Programme driver
He will be the fifth driver to race for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team since 2010, and the third British driver to represent Mercedes-Benz in F1 after Sir Stirling Moss and Lewis Hamilton. He is not a stranger to Mercedes-Benz though, having been a member of the Mercedes-Benz Junior Programme since 2017, when he won the GP3 Series championship as a rookie, before repeating the feat in Formula 2 in 2018.

He has been a fully-fledged Formula 1 driver with Williams Racing since 2019, demonstrating impressive qualifying and race performances during the past two seasons. “This race will mark a small milestone for us, as we see a member of our Junior programme compete for the works Mercedes team for the first time,” Wolff noted.

F1 (Round 15): Highlights & Provisional Results of the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix (piston.my)

Lewis Hamilton tested positive for COVID-19, will skip race on Sunday

Lewis Hamilton will not be driving in the Sakhir Grand Prix, the second of two F1 races being held in Bahrain this year, this weekend as he has been tested positive for COVID-19. In accordance with the strict rules and procedures of the health authorities, he has to be in quarantine which is at least 2 weeks for most countries.

This would likely mean that the British driver would not only miss the round this weekend but also the final round in Abu Dhabi which takes place on December 13 . It would end the 17-round season that had begun with 22 rounds but had to be modified and compressed as a result of activities being suspended in the first half of the year due to the pandemic.

*Lewis Hamilton won the Bahrain GP last Sunday.*

Negative even on Sunday
It’s not known who Hamilton could have contracted the coronavirus from as three tests he had last week (including one on the day of the race) had negative results. However, yesterday, he had mild symptoms of the coronavirus which are typically fever, cough and shortness of breath. Upon testing, a positive result was reported and reconfirmed by a second test.

“Lewis is now isolating in accordance with COVID-19 protocols and public health authority guidelines in Bahrain. Apart from mild symptoms, he is otherwise fit and well, and the entire team sends him its very best wishes for a swift recovery,” said a statement from the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS team. A replacement driver will be announced soon.

In spite of the strict procedures the F1 community has followed this year, it has still been possible to be infected and Hamilton is the third driver to be tested positive. So don’t take the SOPs for granted.

Already the 2020 champion
In as far as the championship is concerned, Hamilton already has enough points to be the 2020 World Champion – his seventh title – even without racing in the final two rounds. Likewise, his team has also won the Constructors Championship again, its seventh consecutive title.

In 11 of the 15 races already completed, Hamilton grabbed the 25 points that the winner gets (along with a few for the fastest lap). Without him at the front, it presents an unexpected opportunity for other close contenders to improve their position during the final rounds.

This weekend’s race – the 2020 Formula 1 Rolex Sakhir Grand Prix – is at the same circuit as last Sunday’s will be a ‘filler’ for the 2020 calendar which was disrupted by postponements. It is one of three circuits this year to run two rounds back to back, the others being the Red Bull Ring in Austria and Silverstone in the UK.

No need to register/scan if refuelling at pump, says minister

At today’s daily MKN press briefing, Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob confirmed that there is NO NEED to scan the MySejahtera app or register when refuelling if motorists do not visit the station’s shop to make payment for fuel. Presumably, the same applies for putting air in tyres. Therefore if they make contactless payments at the pump , they are not committing an offence.

However, if they go to the shop to make payment, use the ATM or buy things, then they have to follow SOP and have their temperature checked and their details recorded of the visit either manually in a log book or via the MySejahtera app using the QR code. The same applies to going to the toilet or surau at the station which would usually be part of the building premises.

Misleading statements
With his statement, it puts an end to the confusion created after a motorist was reported to have been given a summons for not registering while he was pumping petrol. The confusion was further compounded when a senior officer at Bukit Aman insisted that it is required when pumping petrol even if the motorist does not go to the store.

Attempts to seek clarification in the past 24 hours by members of the media saw conflicting answers being given, with the Petroleum Dealers Association saying it was not needed.

*If you do not go into the shop or use the toilet or surau, then you are not committing an offence if you do not register your visit.*

Some precautions to take
It is a good idea to have your visit registered if you go to a crowded area so that you will be informed if there has been a case. However, at a petrol pump with no one around (but you should wear a facemask anyway), the risk is low of being infected. It is possible that you could pick up germs from the pump nozzle although the stations are supposed to sanitize them frequently. Therefore, you can take precautions of either using paper to hold the pump or ensuring that you throughly clean with hand sanitizer after finishing refuelling. Do not use plastic gloves as these can cause static electricity which is very dangerous and might result in an explosion due to the presence of volatile fumes.

Another 49 employees at Proton Shah Alam factory found to be infected with COVID-19

Following an earlier report of one employee at the Proton complex being found to have tested positive for COVID-19 on October 14, the carmaker has now found that there are another 49 others who are also infected at the Shah Alam, Selangor, facility. All the affected personnel are from the Engineering Division at the facility.

Beside notifying the authorities, Proton has requested all non-essential personnel who work within the facility to work from home as a precautionary measure. The company has been adhering to official protocols and SOPs and will continue its efforts with more stringent actions to ensure prevention of further spread.

*Proton head office and Centre of Service Excellence/Showroom in Shah Alam, Selangor*

Hourly disinfection procedure at COSE
Contact tracing is ongoing and a COVID-19 team is monitoring the situation very closely. In a statement issued this evening, Proton reassures all its customers that it will continue to strictly follow all guidelines and procedures as it has been doing from the start of the pandemic. The Centre of Service Excellence (COSE) and showroom are disinfected hourly and all customer-facing personnel follow a rigorous procedure.

“Proton is working with the authorities who have guided the company through the process and are satisfied with the actions taken thus far. The safety of all Proton staff, customers and Malaysians is of the utmost importance to the company and will be its main priority,” the statement said.

Proton employee tested positive for COVID-19

Proton employee tested positive for COVID-19

Proton reports that one of its employees was tested positive for COVID-19 on October 14, 2020. The employee, who is from the Research & Development Department in Shah Alam, was immediately put under the care of a government facility.

The company, which has been strictly adhering to the protocols issued by the authorities, immediately put into place its mitigation plans to ensure prevention of further spread. Contact tracing was initiated begun and all employees from the respective departments have been asked to stay away from the office and self-quarantine. This is being followed by deep cleansing and a disinfection of the premises and any suspected areas.

Proton states that the employee concerned was not in any way regularly interacting with customers and therefore there is a lower concern about direct exposure to the public.

The company reassures all its customers that it will continue to strictly follow all guidelines and procedures laid out by the authorities as it has been doing from the start of the pandemic. It will continue to monitor the situation closely before deciding on any further course of action, if necessary.

The safety of all Proton staff, customers and Malaysians is of the utmost importance to the company and will be its main priority, it said in a statement issued this afternoon.

PLUS urges highway users to observe SOPs at all times

With 1.5 million vehicles using PLUS highways each day, interaction between motorists and PLUS personnel is inevitable. As such, the highway concessionaire is reminding highway users that they must strictly follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) set by the National Security Council (MKN) and the Ministry of Health (KKM). These procedures include wearing of facemasks in public areas and social distancing in areas where there are a lot of people.

This reminder comes in light of the increase of COVID-19 cases in certain states where PLUS highway network operates. Its is especially critical at this time to adhere to the SOPs to prevent further spread of the coronavirus by protecting each other.

Kita Jaga Kita
“We urge our highway customers to please follow the established SOPs set by the government. In the spirit of ‘Kita Jaga Kita’, the onus is on us to take good care of each other every step of the way. Every single PLUS employee, from our CSA, PLUSRonda Officer to Toll supervisors are fully compliant to the SOP’s of facemasking in public and maintaining a safe 1-meter physical distance when interacting with you our customer, we ask the same of you. Please reciprocate by doing the same when we serve you on the highway,” implored Datuk Azman Ismail, Managing Director of PLUS.

Under the New Normal practices by many organisations that manage premises which are open to public, customers are denied entry/transactions if face masks are not worn. PLUS is also adopting the same. There must also be 1-metre physical distancing when at the R&R areas, lay-bys as well as interacting with PLUS personnel at the toll lanes and toll plazas.

*Remember to wear a facemask and stand 1-metre apart when visiting R&R areas along the highways.*

SOPs strictly observed at R&R areas
All PLUSRonda personnel are required to wear face masks and practice 1-metre physical distancing when attending to highway emergencies. From compulsory body temperature checks at each R&R and contact tracing via MySejahtera, PLUS prioritises food hygiene as well as the cleanliness at all the R&R premises as well as lay-bys and toll plazas via regular routine cleaning and periodical sanitisation.

PLUS customers now have PUTRI to help them with their enquiries

Perodua continues to provide protective equipment for public

Although there have been signs of the COVID-19 pandemic easing, the authorities warn that we are still not safe yet and precautions must still be taken to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. For that reason, the RMCO will continue till the end of the year.

Perodua has been doing its part to help in providing protection to the public, especially schoolchildren, and it has earlier been distributing thousands of face shields. It has also donated other much-needed items for use by frontliners.

The Malaysian carmaker is continuing with its public protection initiative and recently contributed over 7,700 face shields to 66 primary schools in the Putrajaya and Hulu Selangor vicinities lately. These are for the use of academic and support staff.

Extending goodwill to primary schools
“Having contributed some 11,000 face shields to secondary schools in Putrajaya and Hulu Selangor in June, Perodua now extends the same goodwill to primary schools in those areas,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

“We do this firstly for the protection, health and well-being of our beloved schoolchildren, teachers and support staff; secondly, as a token of appreciation to the Federal government for all their efforts in dealing with COVID-19; and thirdly, to give back to the local community we have called home for the past 27 years.”

Over 30,000 face shields distributed
Perodua has to date distributed over 30,000 face shields in total. Recipients have included the Putrajaya Federal Territory Education Department, the Hulu Selangor District Council, District Education Office and clinics, the Selayang Municipal Council and various morning and night market hawkers in Hulu Selangor and Selayang.

The face shields, manufactured by an associate of Perodua’s, feature a fog-resistant visor made of polyethylene terephthalate for optimal visibility, sponge cushioning that hugs the forehead to act as a barrier against airborne droplets, and an adjustable elastic band for a snug and comfortable fit.

“This Malaysia Day, Perodua, as a caring and responsible People First company, asks all Malaysians not to let their guard down. Please continue to be cautious and comply with all government health and safety guidelines, and we will defeat COVID-19 together as one nation,” Dato’ Zainal urged.

Perodua expands on public protection initiative

Organisers change plans for 88th 24 Hours of Le Mans – spectators not allowed

Each year, usually around June, thousands of spectators (250,000 in 2019) ring the Circuit de la Sarthe in France to watch the classic 24 Hours of Le Mans race. This year – for the first time since the first race was held in 1923 – there won’t be the carnival atmosphere at the 88^th edition of one of the best known events in the motorsport calendar.

Surge in infections force change
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, permission is being given by governments to run races with strict conditions largely aimed at avoiding spread of the coronavirus. Originally, besides being postponed to September 19 and 20, the event was allowed by health officials to have spectators. However, with a recent surge in infections in France, this was changed and no spectators are allowed. Teams and media must also be at a minimum and follow stringent procedures just like Formula 1.

“The 88th 24 Hours of Le Mans will go down in the annals of history as, sadly, the world’s greatest endurance race run this year with no spectators trackside,” said Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO).

Health and safety the priority
He explained that even a limit on the number of spectators could not be considered as health and safety are the highest priority. “Given the constraints involved in organizing a festival-scale event over several days in the current situation, we have opted with the local government authorities to hold the race behind closed doors,” Fillon said.

“Fans will not miss out altogether,” he assured. “They may not be at Le Mans but our media teams and service providers will bring Le Mans to them! Thanks to the new digital platform, they will gain an exclusive insight of what goes on behind the scenes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”

*A Toyota TS050 Hybrid racing car in one of the past events.*

The second last round of the 2019/2020 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) will have 62 teams taking part. There will be 4 free practice sessions, qualifying, the Hyperpole session and a warm-up, culminating with the 24-hour endurance race on the 13.6-km course.

Last year, the starting time of the 2020 race was changed to 4 pm on Saturday, one hour later than usual. However, in replanning the whole event program this year, the race itself will start at 2:30 pm on Saturday.

7 races for this season
The championship season began with the 4 Hours of Silverstone in September 2019 and races were run in Japan, China, Bahrain, and the USA (Texas). There was also a second race to be held in the USA at Sebring but this was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Before Le Mans, there will be a 6-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium on August 15. The final round will be the 8 Hours of Bahrain scheduled for November 21.

Looking ahead
The 2020/2021 WEC season will see the brand new Le Mans Hypercar category in place of the LMP1 category. Assuming the pandemic diminishes and countries are less restrictive, there are 8 races (ranging from 6 hours to 24 hours) scheduled to be run in Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa and the USA. Two new venues – Monza in Italy and Kyalami in South Africa will be on the calendar.

Perodua expands on public protection initiative

Continuing its role as a good corporate citizen, Perodua has expanded on its public protection initiative with the recent distribution of a further 10,000 face shields within the Hulu Selangor district and Selayang municipality.

Recipients in Hulu Selangor, where the Malaysian carmaker has its headquarters and manufacturing complex, included the District Health Office, community and dental clinics, enforcers from the District Council’s (MDHS) Licensing Department, plus various morning and night market hawkers.

The carmaker also contributed face shields to the Selayang Municipal Council’s (MPS) Licensing and Enforcement Departments, and through them, hawkers and street sellers in the area.

“Perodua’s face shield contributions are our way of giving back to the surrounding communities who have supported and made us feel at home for the past 27 years,” said Perodua’s President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad said.

“As a People First company and a good corporate citizen, Perodua cares very much for the safety, health and well-being of the general public in these COVID-19 times. We have given out over 21,000 face shields to date; we hope they will be worn conscientiously and diligently by those going about their daily duties, bravely continuing to give all of us the services, healthcare and provisions we need,” he added.

Last month, prior to schools reopening, Perodua gave out some 11,000 face shields to secondary schools in Putrajaya and Hulu Selangor.

The face shields, manufactured by an associate of Perodua, feature a fog-resistant visor made of polyethylene terephthalate for optimal visibility, sponge cushioning that hugs the forehead to act as a barrier against airborne droplets, and an adjustable elastic band for a snug and comfortable fit.

“We are not out of the woods yet in our battle against COVID-19. We hope Malaysians will continue to adopt and adapt to the new normal by exercising caution and complying with all the government’s health and safety guidelines,” advised Dato’ Zainal.

Visit www.perodua.com.my to know more about other Corporate Social Responsibility activities of the carmaker.

Piston.my

COVID-19

Proton continues to provide help in fight against COVID-19

George Russell to take Lewis Hamilton’s place for this weekend’s race in Bahrain

Lewis Hamilton tested positive for COVID-19, will skip race on Sunday

No need to register/scan if refuelling at pump, says minister

Another 49 employees at Proton Shah Alam factory found to be infected with COVID-19

Proton employee tested positive for COVID-19

Perodua continues to provide protective equipment for public

Organisers change plans for 88th 24 Hours of Le Mans – spectators not allowed

Proton continues to provide help in fight against COVID-19

George Russell to take Lewis Hamilton’s place for this weekend’s race in Bahrain

Lewis Hamilton tested positive for COVID-19, will skip race on Sunday

No need to register/scan if refuelling at pump, says minister

Another 49 employees at Proton Shah Alam factory found to be infected with COVID-19

Proton employee tested positive for COVID-19

Perodua continues to provide protective equipment for public

Organisers change plans for 88th 24 Hours of Le Mans – spectators not allowed

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