THE state Health Department will focus on foreign workers’ dormitories in its efforts to stop the spread of Covid-19, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
He said the foreign workers would be the next target group when the Health Department starts to conduct checks.
“We hope that we can reach as many as possible. The state government and local councils will support whatever action is taken by the state Health Department,” Chow said when he visited the Tanjung Bungah Market to distribute face masks today.
“We can, of course, tighten Federal decision and not loosen it. That is the principle. Meanwhile, on the issue of economy, we hope the Federal Government will continue to take the lead. We have to start thinking about recovery action plan.”
Chow later also visited the Pulau Tikus Market to distribute face masks and then to Kampung Sireh in Pulau Tikus to distribute provisions to some 70 residents. All these three areas are under the Bukit Bendera parliamentary constituency.
He said the state fully recognises the need for Putrajaya to extend the movement control order (MCO) for the fourth time from April 29 to May 12. The MCO has been enforced since March 18.
“It’s not over until it’s over. We hope to continue with the fourth MCO and achieve the objective of stopping the spread of the virus to the community.
“I am happy to see that the local councils have both reported over 99% MCO compliance. That means by and large, people are abiding by the social distancing rule and giving their cooperation because all of us know that these are necessary steps to triumph over the Covid-19 threat as soon as possible.”
Chow also thanked the frontliners, including volunteers, who sacrificed their time and put themselves at risk by coming to manage social distancing at the markets and public places.
He added that they played a major role to help the state contain the spread of the virus. There are no new cases in nine consecutive days.
Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Zairil Khir Johari, who was also present, said Tanjung Bungah Market was one of the first markets to practise social distancing.
He thanked the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) for always sending their staff to help control the crowd at the Tanjung Bungah Market and Tanjung Tokong Market.
“The people have been very cooperative. And I would also like to thank my MPKK (Village Community Council) volunteers and my staff members.
“Without them, this is not possible because the council does not have enough staff. I am very thankful to them for their hard work.” Zairil said.
Chow, accompanied by Pulau Tikus assemblyman Chris Lee Chun Kit, MBPP secretary Datuk Addnan Mohd Razali and MBPP councillor Connie Tan, spent about 40 minutes at Pulau Tikus Market distributing face masks to hawkers, market traders, market-goers and shop owners and their workers.
Lee said the main thing was to have social distancing at the market to ensure that the people are safe.
“We want to ensure that no new clusters for the coronavirus are formed. As long as we enforce social distancing, we should not have a problem,” Lee said.
At Kampung Sireh, Chow helped to distribute essentials to 70 residents there, some of whom undergo fasting as Ramadan starts today.
Tanjung Bungah MPPK chairman Rachael Tan Chin Hong said among the recipients are 10 foreigners from Bangladesh and Nepal. The provisions included eggs, vegetables, oats and sardines – some of which were sponsored.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Alvie Cheng & Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Law Suun Ting & Chan Kok Kuan
