THE reopening of certain electrical and electronic stores and laundry shops in Penang today will not generate a huge crowd.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that those E&E stores and laundry shops, which obtained approval from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to operate, have to comply with certain measures.
He said their patrons need to adhere to social distancing rule and line up accordingly.
“This is an example of measures imposed before allowing these shops to open.
“We are expecting other sectors to be allowed to operate but it will be gradually,” he said after distributing basic necessities to the needy at a coffee shop in Paya Terubong today.
Chow was commenting after being asked by Buletin Mutiara whether the reopening of the stores and laundry shops would cause overcrowding issue.
The state government had yesterday given its green light for them to resume their business by adhering to the tightened conditions set by the Federal Government.
They have been allowed to operate from 8am to 8pm daily.
Chow, in the meantime, called upon all frontliners to continue with their united spirit and discharge their responsibility until achieving success.
“We understand why the movement control order (MCO) has to be extended for another phase from Apr 29 to May 12.
“We are not sure how long MCO will last but their selfless sacrifice and perseverance will see us triumph,” he added.
Earlier, Chow, accompanied by Paya Terubong assemblyman Yeoh Soon Hin and Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng, handed over food packs to underprivileged.
A total of 1,000 packs were given to 10 management corporations (MC) at Paya Terubong constituency to be distributed to those in need.
Story and pix by Edmund Lee
Video by Law Suun Ting