PENANG Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo has urged the Federal Government to consider bearing the cost of Covid-19 screenings for foreign workers.
“Many people are affected by the pandemic. The economy is badly hit and companies which have foreign workers are also badly impacted.
“I urge the Federal Government to help bear the cost of Covid-19 screenings for foreign workers,” he said before presenting food products to the frontliners at Bahang Bay Hotel in Teluk Bahang today.
Jagdeep was there to honour the frontliners who are selflessly putting their lives at risk so that the state and people are protected against the Covid-19.
“Bahang Bay Hotel, which is one of the two Penang Covid-19 quarantine centres, has received 927 people under the Persons Under Surveillance (PUS) category since July this year. Another quarantine centre, Rainbow Paradise Beach Resort, has received 1,319 PUS so far,” he said.
Bahang Bay Hotel assistant director of sales and marketing Mariana Omar thanked the frontliners for their sacrifices.
Health Ministry medical officer Dr Reuben Ooi said the year 2020 has been a challenging year.
“We are grateful that the Penang government is together with us (the fronliners) and fighting the pandemic,” he said.
Jagdeep urged the public to continue adhering to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to curb the spread of Covid-19.
He also commended the local councils for conducting over 1.29 million checks on Covid-19 SOP compliance since March 18.
“At the end of the day, it is the responsibility of each individual to comply with the SOPs to win this war against Covid-19. Please think of your family, friends and loved ones.
“The new year is coming soon, and I hope that it will be a safer and healthier year,” he said.
Story by Christopher Tan