PARK-goers who have been frequenting the three main parks on the island, namely the Penang City Park (Youth Park), Relau Metropolitan Park and Taman Jajar public park, can continue to do so after these premises managed by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) have been allowed by the Federal Government to open during this renewed movement control order (MCO 3.0).
MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang said following the recent announcement by the National Security Council (NSC) and Sports Ministry, the Penang Botanic Gardens, which is supervised by the Botanic Gardens Department, will also follow suit and be open to the public.
“Only jogging, cycling and individual exercises are allowed in the parks and it is very important that standard operating procedures (SOPs) are strictly followed during these activities.
“Visitors are not allowed to use the exercise equipment and playgrounds in all the parks.
“The operating hours at these parks are from 7am to 7pm every day, with a controlled entry of no more than 250 visitors at any one time.
“We have our enforcement officers and security personnel stationed at the parks. Our request is for the public to stay vigilant and not flout the SOPs,” Yew told the reporters during a brief press conference at Penang City Park today.
Yew also made it clear that the public can only visit parks within their own districts and not allowed to enter parks in other districts.
“This is important and in line with the Federal Government’s decision to ban inter-district travel in Penang during MCO 3.0 to curb further spread of the infections,” he added.
As for Penang, MCO will run from today (May 10) to May 23, involving the northeast district and sub-district 12 of the southwest district on the island while on the mainland, areas involved are sub-district 14 in north Seberang Perai, the whole of central Seberang Perai and south Seberang Perai districts.
Separately, Yew stated that other recreational parks and sports complexes under the supervision of MBPP would be closed.
The closure also includes the Penang recreational space and stadium corporation on both the island and mainland except for community halls utilised as Covid-19 vaccination centres.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi