THE Penang government will now focus on getting more people to register for National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow told a hybrid ASEAN-China Governors/Mayors Dialogue 2021 that the state government would continuously work very closely with various state and Federal agencies in the fight against Covid-19 and to curb the spread in the community.
“Our state assemblymen and women have also helped in this effort by getting the elderly in their constituencies to register for the vaccine as many of the senior citizens are not able to register by themselves.
“But for it to be successful and to create a herd immunity, we need the cooperation of the people. So far, many have played their part by adhering to the various standard operating procedures (SOPs) and we are thankful for their support in helping us to elevate public health awareness,” Chow said in his address from his office in Komtar today.
The dialogue, which was held at a hotel in Boao, Hainan, was attended by representatives of several cities from China like Hainan, Shandong and Hubei Province, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Chongqing, Hangzhou and Kunming City.
It was also held via video conferencing for those who took part from their respective countries. Besides Chow, diplomatic envoys from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines and Thailand, representatives from Brunei, the ASEAN-China Centre, Grodno Oblast of Belarus, Jeju Province of South Korea participated in the dialogue as special guests.
The theme of the dialogue was ‘Mutual Support for Common Development: Local Government Cooperation in the post-Covid-19 Era’.
Chow, who spoke on the topic ‘Mutual Support in Covid-19 response’, added that the Penang government would continue to work closely with the state Health Department and the Health Ministry to provide true information, ensure adequate medical supplies and improve crisis response.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has caused an immense loss of human life and the global economy is also heavily disrupted.
“Although it is a challenge to create a balance between saving lives and livelihoods, the state government is ready and will work to continue striking a balance.
“We will continue to provide all that is necessary to ensure the safety and health of our people,” he said.
At the end of the dialogue, Chow joined the representatives to sign a Joint Initiative of the ASEAN-China Governors/Mayors Dialogue 2021.
Among other things, the joint initiative looks to enhance long-standing ties and the Asian spirit of solidarity and mutual assistance, promote friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields between local governments.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud