NO dine-in is now allowed at hawker stalls in central Seberang Perai which has been declared a yellow zone following four new Covid-19 cases reported over the past three days ago.
The operators of the hawker stalls as well as roadside hawkers, however, are allowed to sell only takeaways.
This came after Penang had been maintaining a green zone status for 91 consecutive days.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today announced that the state government, through Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP), would work on an ‘Immediate Action Plan’ to prevent further Covid-19 infection in the state.
“During the Covid-19 Crisis Management Task Force meeting recently, MBSP made 13 resolutions, including instructing 3,091 MBSP personnel to return to duties to ensure that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) are implemented in public places.
“They will also monitor high-risk infection areas closely as well as carry out disinfection in public markets and MBSP main counters on a daily basis compared to once every two days before the yellow zone was declared.
“Simultaneously, a total of 12 busy public markets under the administration of MBSP have been identified.
“MBSP has stationed enforcement officers and auxiliary police at each of the markets to ensure all SOPs are abided by the traders and visitors,” Chow told a press conference at Komtar today.
As of Aug 10, Chow said the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) had conducted checks on 205,596 premises and recorded 99.55% SOP compliance rate while MBSP had conducted checks on 441,272 premises and achieved 99.36% SOP compliance rate.
Both councils achieved 100% compliance rate for the face mask mandatory ruling at 14 public markets in Penang island and 12 public markets in Seberang Perai.
Chow added that a total of 13 food premises were closed by MBSP for failing to comply with SOP and 43 notices were issued by MBPP to six public market traders on Aug 1 for not wearing face mask.
On a separate matter, Chow said that as of Aug 11, the state Health Department reported that the MySejahtera app saw a total registration of 913,832 people, which is about 50.8% of the total population of Penang, compared to 431,171 people (23.8%) on July 24.
“The increase has proven that the majority of Penangites are already using the MySejahtera app,” Chow added.
Chow recently announced that the Penang state government had advised all business operators and Penangites to abide by the Federal Government’s decision to use the MySejahtera app.
On another matter, Chow said based on a report by the state Civil Defence Department, which acts as the secretariat of the state Disaster Management Committee, a total of 159 patients under the Person Under Surveillance (PUS) category are now placed at a gazetted quarantine centre as of Aug 11.
“There are currently only two centres in Penang, but we have only occupied one for now.
“If there are any patients in the future, they will be placed in the second centre,” Chow added.
Meanwhile, referring to the two new clusters, Sivagangga and Kurau, Chow said that 37 cases are now pending results.
“The Covid-19 situation in Penang is still under control as reported by the Penang National Security Council (MKN).
“I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to everyone, especially our frontliners for continuously showing great commitment and working hard to fight this pandemic,” Chow said.
State Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage (PETACH) Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said it is important for everyone to stay vigilant for their own safety and health during this Covid-19 pandemic crisis.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Law Suun Ting