CORONAVIRUS | Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has expressed gratitude to the state's multiracial community for forgoing their religious activities in view of the movement control order (MCO) to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.
Chow said the Chinese community in Penang has maintained discipline by not visiting the burial sites of ancestors and loved ones for this year’s Cheng Beng.
"I thank you all for your cooperation.
"Today is also the third Friday in which Muslims in the state are not able to perform their Friday prayers in mosques.
"I thank you all for your sacrifices," he said.
Chow said the same goes for the Christians in Penang who are not able to attend church services in complying with the MCO.
"I thank all of you. My appreciation also goes to the Hindus and the Sikhs in Penang for practising your faith without going against the MCO," he added.
"I thank each and every one of you for your sacrifices. I believe your sacrifices will save many lives," he stressed.
The MCO has entered its 17th day today. Penang has reported 98 Covid-19 cases and one death.
Chow, meanwhile, also announced the following:
- Immediate repairs are allowed for critical work as well as cleaning and spraying of insecticides to avoid harm to the public.
- Maintenance work for ten critical sectors should continue.
- For banking services, only departments relating to IT and cash management are allowed to operate.
For the following services, the operating period is two days a week, namely Monday and Thursday (from 8am to 2pm only) starting from April 6:
- Agricultural input shops (fertilisers and pesticides).
- Hardware shops
- Shops that sell pet food, animal feed and medicine.
- Spare part shops
Chow then declared the cancellation of Ramadan bazaars throughout the state to curb the spread of Covid-19.
His remark comes after Putrajaya cancelled the annual bazaars as long as MCO was enforced.
"This decision was made after taking into account the safety and health of the people in this state," he said.
Meanwhile, Chow expressed gratitude to an entrepreneur in Penang who has offered his hotel as accommodation for the hospital and the Penang Health Department staff members during the MCO.
He urged the private sector to come forward to offer accommodation to those requiring quarantine including those who have just arrived from abroad.
"Let us work together in breaking the Covid-19 infection chain. This requires everyone’s combined efforts," he said.
Chow thanked Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) for contributing RM2 million to the state government for the purchase of medical and clinical equipment.
He also expressed appreciation to Tamarins Group Sdn Bhd (Developer) for contributing RM200,000 to the Penang Covid-19 fund.
As at today, 1,392 welfare aid recipients under the State Welfare Department have received their one-off cash assistance of RM500.
For aid recipients under the federal welfare department, they will be receiving their financial aid latest by April 10.
The local councils have also channelled the RM500 aid to licensed traders, who will most probably receive the money in three days, upon receiving complete documentation from the parties concerned.
Payments for tour guides have started yesterday. For trishaw riders, payments would be conducted manually this week.
Chow said he is targeting a "100 percent completion" of the Penang Aid Package by the second week of April.
He ended the press conference by launching a video clip that features the combined initiatives and efforts of various parties in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic in Penang up until now. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.