However, he said they would have to comply with strict SOPs which would be announced by the Election Commission (EC).

Noor Hisham said the health ministry had given several recommendations to the EC to be included in the SOPs to ensure the election process would be smooth and safe.

“There will be special channels for them (those with Covid-19), they will not be mingling with the rest.

“The use of face masks and face shields are also important in addition to sanitisation. We (however) did not suggest the use of personal protective equipment (PPE),” he told reporters when met at the World Sight Day 2022 celebration here.

Separately, Noor Hisham said the ministry has also made preparations for the monsoon season by placing its staff at temporary relief centres and also by identifying locations with high-risk patients.

He said health workers will ensure proper hygiene is maintained at the relief centres and also conduct screenings to prevent the spread of diseases.

“As for those with medical risks, such as kidney patients requiring haemodialysis treatment, the ministry has identified their locations so that treatment is not interrupted during floods.

“We have their data and we also have data of the locations where additional services are required if it floods,” he said.

He said 552 of the 2,891 government health clinics nationwide had been identified to be located in flood-risk areas, but added that alternative measures were in place to overcome the problem.