THE Penang government hopes there would be no new clusters of Covid-19 involving the foreign workers in the state.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said he was keeping his fingers crossed that none of the foreign workers occupying dormitories would be infected when he inspected a dormitory at Westlite Accomodation in Bukit Minyak today.
“The state government is concerned with the well-being of the foreign workers.
“We do not want to see what happened in Singapore to occur here. We have a dense population of workers here.
“We hope that there will be no new clusters among foreign workers, either in this hostel or in their respective workplaces,” he said after his inspection.
Chow believed that the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) would strictly monitor the workers, ensuring that they practise social distancing.
He also urged the industry players to do their part to ensure the safety and welfare of foreign workers are taken care of during this pandemic.
Westlite Accomodation business manager Tony Teh said the dormitory is managed by Westlite Dormitory (Bukit Minyak) Sdn Bhd.
He said the dormitory consisted of 369 units, with each unit occupied by between 12 and 16 people.
“Since its opening last year, 120 units have been occupied by foreign workers,” he added.
Teh said that during MCO period, all foreign workers entering and leaving their dormitories would have their body temperature checked.
“If their body temperature is not in the normal range, they will be brought to an isolation unit for further observation,” he explained.
Also present were Batu Kawan MP P. Kasthuriraani, Chow’s political-secretary Teh Lai Heng, who is also the Komtar assemblyman, Bukit Tengah assemblyman Gooi Hsiao Leung, Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik and MBSP mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhammad