GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has instructed both the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP) to take stern action against construction sites which recorded high number of positive Covid-19 cases, including possible closure.
This follows the spike in Covid-19 cases in construction sites, with Penang recording a new cluster from yesterday.
The Queens Waterfront construction site cluster recorded 87 new cases yesterday, bringing the total cases to 145.
A total 709 people have been screened so far.
State Local Government Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said he had asked both the local councils to step up on their enforcement, more so following yesterday’s spike in cases.
“Our enforcement officers are on the ground.
“They have to do the monitoring and report back, and if necessary, they will take action. They have done so,” he said when met after receiving his Covid-19 vaccination at the Jalan Angsana Health Clinic here this morning.
Several members of parliament and state assemblymen were also spotted receiving their vaccination today.
Jagdeep said there was no issue with the vaccination and he felt nothing at all.
“I advice the people of Penang to register for the vaccination to better protect themselves,” he said.
Jagdeep also clarified that only enforcement officers in both city councils would be given priority for the vaccinations and not everyone.
He had recently urged the government to include city council employees as part of the frontliners in the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.
“I want to thank the government For agreeing to our request by including the enforcement officers, who are deemed the real frontliners.
“I also hope those involved in cleaning services within the city councils too will be given priority,” he added, nothing that there were 215 enforcement officers in the MBPP and 249 enforcement officers in the MBSP.
Meanwhile, Jagdeep also said the Health Ministry had in principle agreed for private hospitals to assist the government hospitals and clinics to administer the Covid-19 vaccination for free in subsequent phases.
“In Penang, more than 200 private clinics, under the Penang Medical Practitioners Society, have agreed to help out,” he added.- NST