PENANG Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo has urged the Federal Government to study the possibility of making Covid-19 vaccination mandatory.
He said that the war against Covid-19 was far from over and it was important for people to register themselves to be vaccinated.
“We are here, every day, to fight Covid-19.
“But it does not make sense for us to organise all these programmes to combat the pandemic when we have a small group of people who does not even want to register themselves to be vaccinated.
He mentioned the various types of programmes, such as the Penang Covid-19 mass screening (PSC-19) and the mobile community vaccination (Movak) programme for hawkers, traders and their workers, which had been conducted.
“Those who are not vaccinated can still infect those who have been vaccinated,” he said at Dewan Sri Pinang today.
Jagdeep urged the Federal Government, particularly the Health Ministry, to look into making the registration for Covid-19 mandatory.
“Many countries are studying the possibilities of implementing it (mandatory Covid-19 vaccination) because it involves legal matters.
“Nevertheless, I believe that it is time for us to study the possibility now,” Jagdeep said.
On a separate matter, Jagdeep said that the Penang government has agreed to continue the Movak programme for four days, after it was successfully held from Aug 30 to Sept 2.
“The first Movak programme managed to vaccinate 11,000 hawkers, traders and their workers.
“The state has agreed to continue with Movak 2.0 from Sept 9 to 12.
“Movak 2.0 will be held at Dewan Dato’ Haji Ahmad Badawi (Penang mainland) and Dewan Sri Pinang (Penang island) from 8.30am to 5pm.
“Some 5,200 hawkers and traders are expected to benefit from Movak 2.0,” he said.
Also present was Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang.