PENANG Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) would continue to monitor public premises to ensure the compliance of standard operating procedures (SOPs), says state Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo.
He said since the implementation of the movement control order (MCO 1.0) on March 18 last year, a total of 38 premises were closed by MBPP and 1,619 premises by MBSP for not complying with the SOPs.
“I believe that upon the closure, all these premises became more aware of the importance of following the SOPs.
“We need to understand that we can break the infection chain if everyone plays their part and work together as a family,’’ said Jagdeep during his visit to Tanjung Bungah Market this morning.
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Jagdeep was at the Tanjung Bungah Market to conduct a spot check on the SOP compliance and he was accompanied by Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Zairil Khir Johari and MBPP secretary Datuk Addnan Mohd Razali.
“We will first warn them (premises owners) and if they still fail to adhere to the SOPs, then that is where enforcement will take place.
“Apart from vaccination, following the SOPs is one of the important preventive measures needed to be taken to curb the pandemic.
“I would like to reaffirm here that both the city councils will continue being strict with matters concerning SOP compliance,’’ added Jagdeep.
Jagdeep stated that thus far a total of 1.86 million checks have been conducted at public premises on the island (878,577) and mainland (985,783) by the MBPP and MBSB and recorded a compliance level of 99.57% and 99.37% respectively.
Meanwhile, Zairil also urged the public to continue being vigilant and keep abiding by the law to help eradicate the pandemic.
“Tanjung Bungah Market was among the first public markets in Penang to observe SOPs with the help from council officers, Rela volunteers and our team from MPKK (Village Community Management Councils) Tanjung Bungah.
“I believe it is still a market that is orderly and well managed,’’ said Zairil.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Law Suun Ting