GEORGE TOWN: Penang hopes Putrajaya will revise the standard operating procedures (SOP) and allow dine-ins only at eateries where its operators and workers have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
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Under the latest SOP, eateries are allowed to operate although their operators and workers have not been vaccinated.
Prior to this, the SOP stated that operators and their workers needed to be fully vaccinated.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the latest SOP caused much confusion and courted reactions among various quarters.
“The Penang government has discussed the matter and hopes the existing SOP can be revised to ensure operators and workers have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine before they are allowed to offer dine-ins.
“This means if the eateries have 10 workers and only five have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, then only the five are allowed to work at the eateries for dine-ins,” he said after visiting the Penang Covid-19 Screening (PSC-19) Programme at the Taman Manggis Flat here today.
Present were state Local Government Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo, Penang Island City Council Mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang and northeast district police chief Assistant Commissioner Soffian Santong.
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As for customers, Chow said the SOP was clear, that they have to be fully vaccinated before they are allowed to dine-in.
Meanwhile, Chow said walk-ins for expectant mothers, breastfeeding mothers and the disabled would begin soon at selected vaccination centres (PPV).
He added that this was for registered and unregistered expectant mothers, breastfeeding mothers and the disabled who have not received an appointment date
“This is part of the state’s efforts to speed up the vaccination process to achieve herd immunity earlier than expected.
“We embarked on similar efforts earlier this month where we allowed walk-ins for senior citizens.
“However, after a week, the number of senior citizens for walk-ins reduced. This goes to show that many of them have been vaccinated,” he added.-NST