PENANG has recorded 5,400 passenger movements under the Penang-Singapore Vaccinated Travel Lane by air (VTL-Air) programme from March 16 to 28.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the Penang International Airport (PIA) received 2,600 arriving passengers and 2,800 departing passengers during the said period.
Sixty-four flight movements (32 departure and 32 arrival movements) were recorded under the VTL-Air programme from March 16 to 28.
“Of the number of visitors, six passengers who are Malaysians were found to be Covid-19 positive and have been asked to undergo home quarantine,” Chow replied to a journalist at a media conference in Komtar today.
Also present were Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin and Penang State Secretary Datuk Dr Ahmad Jailani Muhamed Yunus.
Chow said that come April 1, the Penang-Singapore VTL-Air would no longer be relevant as Malaysia’s international borders would be reopened on April 1.
“The Penang-Singapore VTL-Air programme is subjected to application and its protocol; hence, I believe there are visitors who are waiting for April 1 to travel between Penang and Singapore so that they will not be subjected to the VTL-Air protocol.
“We do not expect an immediate surge of international tourists to Penang once Malaysia reopens its international borders on April 1.
“We hope that the increase in foreign tourist arrivals will be gradual and that the state can attract more visitors in a few weeks,” he said.
Chow said Penang has enjoyed good support from its domestic tourists.
“Beach hotels have recorded high occupancy rates during this period before the reopening of the country’s international borders.
“We are happy and thankful that the domestic tourists are visiting Penang and providing impetus to the state’s tourism sector.
“Even Najib (former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak) stayed two nights in our (Penang) hotel. That is also revenue,” he said.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Law Suun Ting