THE Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) is gearing up for the Phase Three of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) now that more people have been vaccinated as well as there has been a decline in the number of Covid-19 cases.
Its mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud said the council has drafted action plans in case the state moves to next phase of NRP. Penang has been under Phase Two of NRP since July 7 this year.
“The action plans involve the market and food complexes, night markets, morning markets, uptown, recreational parks and stratified buildings.
“In addition to the basic standard operating procedures (SOPs), we will take sterner measures at the 14 ‘hotspot markets’, which are only open to those who have completed taking two doses of vaccine.
“We will also improve the supervision of the markets by installing more mobile closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs).
“Those who are found to violate SOPs will have their businesses suspended for three days.
“Kids who are below 12-years-old are now allowed to enter these ‘hotspot markets’,” he said during a press conference today.
The 14 markets are in Bukit Mertajam, Kampung Baru, Chai Leng Park, Taman Selamat, Sri Rambai, Kompleks Bunga Raya, Sri Bandar, Bagan Ajam, Tasek Gelugor, Kepala Batas, Taman Berjays, Bukit Panchor, Perkampungan Valdor and Tambun Indah.
On the recreational parks, Rozali pointed out that the council would implement a static control in Taman Tunku, Bukit DO, Robina Eco Park, Pantai Bersih and Vision Park Bertam.
“We will have a certain time of monitoring in 17 of the recreational parks and 925 open spaces.
“Outdoor gym facilities are allowed to operate under strict SOPs, including permitting only those who have completed two doses of vaccine to use the equipment.
“The operating hours for recreational parks are from 6am to 8pm daily,” he said.
Meanwhile, in conjunction with the World Mental Health Day and MBSP City Day, the council has launched ‘Explore Your Mind’ (Teroka Minda Anda) online programme to focus on the mental health of employees.
Rozali said the pandemic has changed the people’s normal life and some may feel depressed after staying at home for a long period.
“This online application is a joint effort by the Health Service Department with Information Technology Department and MBSP Communication Department. It is aimed at identifying the risk of depression and stress level among council staff, especially during the post-pandemic period.
“This application can be accessed through https://dass.mbsp.gov.my/dass/ beginning tomorrow (Oct 5).
“There will be 21 questions for the council staff to answer and the results will be analysed further,” he said.
In another development, Rozali said the council has collected a total revenue of RM57.5 million from July 1 to Aug 31 this year, exceeding the RM50 million target.
“During the assessment tax collection period, many have stepped forward to pay,” he said.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis