THE Batu Lanchang Market has been ordered to close today until further notice following the detection of four Covid-19 cases among its traders and their workers.
State Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh said the closure involves a total of 180 stalls.
Jagdeep added that in July, the market was temporarily shut after seven of its traders and workers were tested positive for Covid-19.
“The state government is serious about public health safety at all its public facilities and we will not compromise on safety.
“Coincidentally, the wet market in Padang Tembak on the island were also ordered to close yesterday for the same reason.
“The wet markets on the mainland are under our observation and we will update the public their status,’’ said Jagdeep when he visited the Batu Lanchang Market today.
It was learnt that the traders and hawkers at the Bukit Gedung food complex had also taken the initiative to shut their premises temporarily to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Also accompanying him were Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang, Jelutong MP RSN Rayer, Batu Lancang state assemblyman Ong Ah Teong and MBPP councillor Nicholas Theng.
On another matter, Jagdeep said the Community Vaccine Mobilisation (Movak) programme catering to the traders and hawkers registered under both MBPP and the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) ended successfully yesterday.
“The Movak programme received positive response from our traders and hawkers with 17,314 registrations.
“The state government allocated some 11,000 doses of vaccine for the programme but due to the overwhelming response, I believe there is a need to pursue with the programme.
“Thus, we will be studying on how we can engage with the Health Ministry to come up with Movak 2.0.
“We are ready to assist our people concerning vaccination, but the Federal Government also must ensure adequate amount of vaccine supply,’’ said Jagdeep.
Meanwhile, Yew hoped that the state government and the MOH would work together to continue with the Movak programme to benefit more people.
“We hope that there will be a phase two of the Movak programme as more traders and hawkers have yet to be vaccinated.
“At the same time, I would like to urge the Federal government to reduce the price for the Covid-19 self-test kits which are priced at RM16 for wholesale and RM19.90 for retail,’’ added Yew.
While agreeing to Yew’s suggestion, Jagdeep said the state government is also considering whether to continue with the Penang Covid-19 community screening programme which had ended on Aug 24.
“We received a total of 46,850 registrations, exceeding our target of 40,000. Thus, we are looking at the possibility of continuing with the programme or else come up with other method of screening.
“I agree with Yew that the price for the Covid-19 self-test kits is expensive for the families from low-income group and even some associations have brought up the matter by asking the Federal Government to reduce the price to RM10.
“We cannot burden the people with such high prices especially during times such as this. It is important to conduct self-screening for Covid-19 regularly,’’ said Jagdeep.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis