MAINTAINING the green zone status is an ultimate challenge now for Penang, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Chow said this when he visited the frontliners at Jalan Perak Klinik Kesihatan where he also conveyed his appreciation to them for their dedication in combating the Covid-19.
“It has been a challenging time for all of us especially the frontliners at the Ministry of Health, state Health Department and public primary care clinics (klinik kesihatan – health clinics) in our fight against the pandemic.
“I would like to convey my heartiest gratitude to all the medical personnel for their contribution in helping the state to turn into a green zone.
“Nevertheless, after attaining the green state status, it has now become a huge responsibility for us to retain that status.
“We still need to be cautious and continue with the precautionary measures that we have taken all this while,” said Chow.
According to Chow, the state government would continue to follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), as from tomorrow onwards dine-ins have been permitted at supermarkets, hotels and franchised fast food outlets.
“Penang takes a balanced approach when it comes to health and economy, but certainly gives much priority to public health.
“The state government has opted to gradually open the economic sectors, and we (state) are a little slower compared to the Federal Government concerning this.
“It is okay for us to be a little slower when ‘loosening up’ but we must be faster by a few steps when we are ‘tightening up’.
“So, thank you all for your contribution in keeping us safe; let us all continue to be resilient and vigilant to overcome the pandemic together,” he added.
Meanwhile, public health specialist and northeast district health officer Datin Dr Azizah Ab. Manan said the Jalan Perak Klinik Kesihatan was one of the busiest health clinics in the northeast district during the Covid-19 crisis.
“Our staff here have worked tirelessly to contain the outbreak in Penang, especially in the northeast district and I would like to thank them for their dedication.
“We even had to stay up here till midnight and some even put up a night at quarantine centres while patients are getting transferred to the hospital wards.
“I would like to also thank the state government for the incentives given to the medical frontliners and their continuous support in combating the pandemic,” said Dr Azizah.
Also present was state Health Department director Dr Asmayani Khalid.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
