PENANG is looking to extending the Penang Covid-19 mass screening (PSC-19) programme, involving licenced hawkers and traders following the overwhelming response received from them.
State Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the state was aiming to continue such programme to certain targeted groups, which would include hawkers and traders in the state.
“During yesterday’s state executive council meeting, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow had asked whether such a screening programme would be extended. If the programme is to be continued, we are aiming for targeted groups such as traders and hawkers.
“We will study it first on the possibility of extending the programme after the current Community Vaccine Mobilisation (Movak) programme.
“All these are our multi-pronged programmes in the war against Covid-19 pandemic. All of us are hitting the ground running by coming out with these initiatives,” he said after inspecting the second phase of the Movak programme in Dewan Sri Pinang today.
There are a total of 27,068 licenced hawkers and traders in the state.
Jagdeep said the state’s assemblymen would distribute the Covid-19 self-test kits to the constituents, who are close contacts.
He said the rising cases recently were alarming and the state would continue with the effort of ensuring everyone stay vigilant and abide by the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
“Most of our cases are coming from the factory clusters and construction sites. We will continue to monitor the situation,” he said.
On the vaccination programme for foreign workers, Jagdeep urged the Federal Government to holistically come out with a policy to address the issue.
“In fact, the state is also looking into this matter by building more hostels. There are 11 such schemes that are currently being planned or under construction.
“Besides that, there are 85 temporary labour quarters (TLQ) for us to place them. These quarters can accommodate about 5,200 workers, but we are still finding other places to house more other workers,” he added.
On another matter, Jagdeep said five public markets and five construction sites had also been closed over the week after several Covid-19 cases were found.
“We will not compromise on this as we will take stern action if any positive cases are detected, ” he warned.
Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, who was present, welcomed the state’s plan to continue the screening programme.
“We have received many requests from the people and this targeted screening is important for us.
“Besides that, self-discipline needs to be practised by everyone,” he said.
Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi also concurred with Jagdeep, saying the authorities would not compromise on public health if any Covid-19 cases were detected.
“People’s health and safety are our priority now,” he said.
Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang pointed out that a total of 221 council staff members had been infected with Covid-19 since last year.
“About 34% of them had been fully vaccinated and I urge everyone to strictly comply with SOPs even though they had completed two doses of vaccine,” he said.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan