IN a move to prevent road congestion in the Air Itam Market area, the roads towards the market have been closed from 6am today.
George Town OCPD Asst Comm Soffian Santong said the road beside Air Itam police station and the Jalan Kampung Pisang-Jalan Paya Terubong junction have been blocked.
“The traffic towards the market is closed to enforce the movement control order (MCO) to contain the spread of Covid-19.
“The situation at the market today has improved a lot today compared to before, and we can also see that the market-goers are following the ‘social distancing’ rule.
“The public is now more cooperative and following the instructions given by the authorities,” ACP Soffian told the media today.
He was seen overseeing the situation at the market this morning together with Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng.
“We would like to advise all the market-goers here and elsewhere to maintain the ‘1m social distancing’ and get your marketing done quickly.
“Try to avoid from coming to market daily, purchase household needs which are sufficient for more than two days.
“We do not want people to come, to and fro to the market to buy provisions, as we want to break the chain of the infection (Covid-19) ” ACP Soffian added.
According to ACP Soffian, some 60 personnel comprising the police, army, RELA, Civil Defence and Penang Island City Council (MBPP) personnel are on duty in Air Itam Market area.
“The roadblocks are set up 24 hours despite some murmurings from the motorists. We have no choice other than closing the road to ensure that the public adhere to the 1m social distancing rule,” he added.
Asked by a reporter whether the Air Itam Market could be shut down, ACP Soffian said it is not practical as it is the only market that caters to thousands of residents in Air Itam, Air Putih, Paya Terubong and Farlim.
Meanwhile, at the Tun Dr Lim Chong Ewe Expressway (Jelutong Expressway), the roads at the junction towards Penang Bridge and Bayan Lepas have been converted to single lane.
There is a special lane for ambulance and vehicles such as from the civil defence personnel, police, army and others.
During a check by the Buletin Mutiara today at the Jelutong Expressway, the police, RELA and army personnel were seen conducting checks on the motorists and other road users.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Law Suun Ting