THE Sikh community in Penang has something to cheer about when all the six gurdwaras can begin to operate from today.
State Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said they included four gurdwaras on the island and two on the mainland for the Sikhs to worship.
“Even though gurdwaras can reopen on June 16, the management decided to do so today because they want to ensure that they can fully abide by the standard operating procedures (SOPs) provided by the state government,” Jagdeep told reporters during his visit to Wadda Gurdwara Sahib in Gurdwara Road, George Town.
State executive councillor Chong Eng, who is in charge of the state Women and Family Development, Gender Inclusiveness & Religions Other Than Islam, had announced on June 16 that all non-Muslim houses of worship were allowed to reopen on the same day itself, subject to stringent SOPs.
Also present during Jagdeep’s visit to the gurdwara was Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Penang president Sardar Daljit Singh.
According to Jagdeep, each house of worship is allowed to accommodate only one-third of its original capacity at any one time under the SOPs.
It has also to maintain social distancing. On top of that, it cannot allow children under 12 years old to enter but it can allow worshippers who are above 70 years old and in good health to enter and worship.
“Based on the state executive council meeting that was held yesterday (June 17), we had decided not to allow any dine-ins in each house of worship for now. Takeaways are however allowed,” he added.
Daljit Singh said the management of each gurdwara in the state was grateful that it could resume operation and would adhere to the SOP’s to prevent the Covid-19 infection.
Jagdeep said both city councils also would continue to monitor each premises in the state to ensure compliance with the SOPs during the recovery movement control order (RMCO).
“As of yesterday (June 17), a total of 164,865 premises and 279,774 premises have been checked by Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) respectively.
“The compliance rate is 99.66% by MBPP and 99.24% by MBSP.
“As for barber shops and beauty salons, MBPP has checked a total of 128 premises while MBSP has checked a total of 76 premises as of yesterday.
“The compliance rates stand at 100% on the island and 89.31% on the mainland.
“Thus, I urge all Penangites to not get too complacent as our fight against Covid-19 is not over yet,” he said.
Jagdeep also announced that the construction works at Wadda Gurdwara Sahib in Gurdwara Road would resume as soon as possible after it was stopped since the implementation of the movement control order (MCO).
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud