CORONAVIRUS | About 100 homeless people who have made Komtar Bus Terminal their home will be picked up to a safe place, said Penang executive councillor Phee Boon Poh.
He told Malaysiakini the homeless will be taken to Masyarakat Penyayang, a community centre, where they would be cared for, clothed and fed until the movement control order (MCO) is lifted.
The move, Phee (photo) said, is to curb the further spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, where the nation is under MCO until April 14, due to the rising numbers of deaths and affected persons.
"We are working together with welfare NGOs to overcome the situation, we appreciate their skills and expertise in this area," said Phee, who is in charge of welfare, caring society and environment.
"The state Health Department will do their part to screen the individuals so that we can identify those who are affected before they are sent to the safe place," he added.
A group of homeless people have been sleeping around the areas of the bus terminal in Komtar, where welfare groups and activists have been providing them daily meals.
The Penang Island City Council have said they were planning to build a suitable premises to house the homeless, but it is uncertain when this plan would be completed.
Phee said NGOs, which provide free meals to the homeless and poor, have been notified that they are no longer allowed to go on the streets for the purpose.
"The NGOs can deliver food to people who are at home, as we will be providing food (three meals) to this target group at the shelter," Phee said.
"We will practice social distancing and comply with all the procedures related to MCO in the homeless shelter," he added.
In Kuala Lumpur, the homeless will be housed at specific locations to prevent them from wandering around during the MCO period.
Malaysia's death toll from Covid-19 rose to 24 with the passing of a 35-year-old man yesterday.
Forty-five patients remain in ICU, with 32 requiring breathing assistance.
There have been 215 recoveries. - Mkini
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