THE Penang Tourism and Creative Economy (Petace) office has initiated a one-stop service programme to assist tourism players in the state.
The programme, held at Dewan Sri Pinang today, included inoculating trishaw riders and taxi drivers, medical check-ups, processing licence for trishaw riders, haircuts and food basket distribution.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Petace Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin visited the Dewan Sri Pinang to observe the operations there today.
Chow said the trishaw rider is a tourism icon in Penang.
“The riders’ service defines Penang as one of the most preferred holiday destinations among the many.
“Many people have pushed for having tourism players, especially trishaw riders, vaccinated.
“We understand the woes of the vulnerable groups.
“I congratulate state executive councillor Yeoh Soon Hin and his team for holding this important programme for the trishaw riders and taxi drivers. This programme is also able to help Penang achieve the herd immunity sooner.
“There are also other services being provided today to help the relevant communities,” Chow said.
He added that the vaccination programme was part of the state’s outreach initiative to set up mobile vaccination units (MVUs) for hard-to-reach communities.
It is aimed at benefitting 300 individuals. A total of 165 trishaw riders and 110 taxi drivers are expected to gain from this programme.
The remaining slots are to be opened for interested Grab drivers.
This programme was organised for those in the northeast district.
On a separate matter, Chow said the AstraZeneca vaccine rollout (first dose) at the Setia SPICE Arena Covid-19 mega vaccination centre (mega PPV) that is currently ongoing, would end on July 27.
According to Chow, the opt-in programme for the second dose would resume on Aug 9.
“There will be an interval of several days before the programme resumes for dose two. During that period, the mega PPV will be used to administer other vaccines.
“This is purely to accelerate our efforts to vaccinate as many people as possible to achieve herd immunity.
“No one is safe until everyone is safe. The same would also apply to the industry sector under the Public-Private Partnership Covid-19 Industry Immunisation Programme (Pikas).
“We thank all the healthcare personnel, economic frontliners, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and relevant bodies for showing their great support throughout this unprecedented period,” Chow added.
Also present during the visit was northeast district health officer Datin Dr Azizah Ab. Manan.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Law Suun Ting
Video by Chan Kok Kuan