Apparel manufacturing major MAS Holdings said a few of its employees living in the high risk areas have been found COVID-19 positive and hence the company is carrying out PCR tests at all its manufacturing facilities across the island.

“At MAS, the health and safety of our employees and stakeholders will always remain our highest priority. Unfortunately, during these unprecedented times, despite all the safety protocols we have in place, we have received reports of a few of our employees – residents of the high-risk areas – who have been infected by COVID-19,” a MAS Holdings statement said.

The company said it closed down all its facilities in police curfew areas on October 4 including MAS Active Sleekline in Nittambuwa since the first alerts of the Minuwangoda cluster.

“All high-risk individuals who were based in, or otherwise associated with those facilities were requested to self-quarantine and are undergoing PCR tests.

In line with the recommendations of the authorities we have also commenced PCR testing at all other operating MAS locations across the country. At this time all results have been negative, but we do understand that this situation is dynamic and have issued guidelines to our teams in the eventuality that individuals that have been infected are identified,” the statement added.

The company also said a 24-Hour COVID helpline has been set up for internal staff to receive advise, assistance and have their grievances addressed during this difficult time.