A TOTAL of 1,384 Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) workers have received their first dose of Covid-19 vaccines to date.
State Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the frontliners from both local authorities had been inoculated two weeks ago.
“Of the total, 993 workers were from MBPP and the remaining from MBSP.
“All of them were mainly from the enforcement team and those on the ground.
“This is an ongoing effort under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme and I am happy to note that the council workers have completed their first round of vaccines.
“They will be receiving their second jab in early May. There will be more council workers who will be inoculated soon.
“That’s why, it’s important for everyone to register themselves for the vaccination programme in a bid to achieve the herd immunity.
“I hope to see at least 70% are vaccinated across the board,” he told a press conference before distributing a total of 1,000 packets of basic necessities to frontliners from both local councils at City Hall, Esplanade today.
Jagdeep also reiterated his call for media personnel to be vaccinated.
“They should be prioritised as well in terms of receiving the vaccines,” he said, adding that the immunisation programme also include councillors from MBPP and MBSP.
On a separate matter, Jagdeep said the cause of the uprooted rain tree that killed a 53-year-old man in Perak Road on Tuesday, was under investigation.
He said, in fact, the tree was transplanted by a certified arborist.
“The family of the deceased has their rights to take necessary action.
“On our part, we will deal with it accordingly. I have also instructed both MBPP and MBSP authorities to ensure all the trees are deemed safe,” he said.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Law Suun Ting