PENANGITES have been urged to ‘defend’ the National Recovery Plan (NRP) Phase Two status that was achieved by Penang by strictly following the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said it is crucial to abide by the SOPs to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the state.
“We urge everyone to follow the SOPs so that we can maintain the Phase Two status. Our next aim is to move to Phase Three of the NRP.
Penang has moved to Phase Two today after it has fulfilled three indicators of the NRP.
“Penang has achieved a rate of 9.5 cases out of 100,000 people; which is the state’s average daily cases of infection for seven days.
The figure is below the threshold value of 12.2 cases out of 100,000 people for seven days.
“The use of beds at the intensive care units (ICUs) in Penang is at a moderate level,” Chow said.
He added that 10.1% of Penang’s adult population had received two doses of the Covid-19 vaccines as of July 3.
The percentage is above the 10% requirement.
“We do not consider this as a success, but instead, this is just the beginning. There are many challenges ahead before we are able to move to the next phase, which is Phase Three.
“It is possible for us to move to Phase Three if everyone follows the SOPs and works together with the state government to flatten the infection curve.
“By moving to the next phase, more economic sectors can be allowed to reopen. The reopening of more economic sectors can benefit the people’s livelihood,” he told reporters during his visit to Taman Nagasari in Prai today. The neighbourhood is currently under the enhanced movement control order (EMCO).
Also present were Bukit Tengah assemblyman Gooi Hsiao Leung, Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud, Penang police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, Central Seberang Perai OCPD Asst Comm Shafee Samad and State Health Department director Datuk Dr Asmayani Khalib.
“Penang is confident that it can fulfill the requirements for the state to Phase Three.
“The state government will do its best and we hope that the people of Penang will do their best too by following the SOPs.
“We can win against Covid-19 together,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mohd Shuhaily said 144 residents had undergone the Covid-19 swab test.
“Fifteen of them were tested positive.
“The 15 exclude the 251 residents who were tested positive for Covid-19 before the EMCO was enforced.
“Today, we are ramping up our effort to conduct mass testing which will involve some 1,000 residents in this neighbourhood.
“So far, everything is smooth,” he told Chow.
Chow advised the residents of Taman Nagasari to be patient and to follow all the instructions from the authority.
It was reported that there were 2,511 foreign workers and 211 local residents living at Taman Nagasari.
The area is now under the EMCO, beginning July 4 to July 17.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis
Video by Ahmad Adil Muhamad