A TOTAL of 9,654 foreign construction workers in Penang have undergone Covid-19 screening up to date.
Penang Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo was delighted that the figure accounted for 82% of 12,023 foreign construction workers in the state.
He pointed out that it was an encouraging response shown in line with the call by the authorities to conduct mandatory screening for all the migrant workers.
“The good news is that almost 90% of foreign construction workers on the island have been screened while 67.7% have undergone screening on the mainland so far.
“It is my hope that the test will complete soonest by next week and let us pray that the results will be negative.
“The state government would not compromise on the public health issue, which is an utmost priority,” he told a press conference after inspecting the Imperial Grande , a project by Ideal Property Group in Sungai Ara, Bayan Lepas, today.
Jagdeep was pleased with the way Ideal was adhering to the standard operating procedure (SOP) during his visit.
He said he was informed that there were some 200 foreign construction workers on duty at the construction site.
“The workforce has been reduced by 50% in view of the current conditional movement control order (CMCO),” he added.
Asked what action would be taken if any of the developers in the state failed to adhere to the SOP, Jagdeep said that a stop-work order would be issued to the company.
MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang concurred with Jagdeep, saying that the council has always been carrying out site inspections to ensure that the protocol was followed.
“I would like to express gratitude to all developers for giving their cooperation during the Covid-19 crisis,” he added.
Ideal Property Group executive chairman Tan Sri Alex Ooi, who was present, said his side had taken a serious approach to ensuring that the SOP was observed.
“In fact, we have a facial recognition technology to recognise our own workers. This is to prevent outsiders from coming in,” he said.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Alvie Cheng