THE state government is considering to reintroduce the Penang Covid-19 mass screening (PSC-19) programme for traders at public markets.
State Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said this targeted approach would be crucial for traders as they are considered a highly exposed group which is vulnerable of contracting the virus.
“Since March last year, we have witnessed the closure of 33 public markets, food complexes, temporary hawker centres and temporary static hawker centres on the island and mainland.
“It is not easy when these premises have to close because it will affect the entire community living in that particular area.
“Traders will be affected as they won’t be able to generate any source of income. Hence, it will be very beneficial for them if we reintroduce this programme.
“I will propose this during the state executive council (exco) meeting tomorrow (Sept 29),” Jagdeep said during a press conference at Kuantan Road Market today.
Jagdeep also added that out of the 33 public markets that were closed, 16 were from the island and 17 from the mainland.
While all the premises are currently allowed to operate on the mainland, there are still two public markets closed on the island, namely Kuantan Road Market and another in Pulau Tikus.
According to him, out of the 20,284 hawkers and traders in Penang, 8,957 (91.8 percent) on the island and 9,758 (92.7 percent) on the mainland have been vaccinated.
Jagdeep, who is also Datok Keramat assemblyman, has vowed to bear the cost of the screening for all the 99 traders at Kuantan Road Market as it falls under his constituency, if the programme materialises again.
Meanwhile, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang said four buildings under the supervision of MBPP would be installed with solar panels soon.
“We have just completed the tender exercise through open tender and have identified four buildings on the island. We will announce it soon,” he added.
On a separate matter, Yew said the local council has a plan to propose for the setting up of bicycle lanes on both sides of the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge (second Penang bridge), installed with covered solar panels.
“This is our dream. We will work on that as it would involve various authorities,” he added.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan