73 city council workers infected with Covid-19 in a week in Penang

GEORGE TOWN – A total of 73 city council workers have tested positive for Covid-19 in the past week alone in Penang, as the state government continues to push for such personnel to get the jab.

Since the start of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, state exco Jagdeep Singh Deo said he has been pushing for this action to be taken, but not all city council workers have received their vaccination.

“In March, I have been asked by both my city councils (Penang Island and Seberang Prai) for their workers to be vaccinated, but they are not classified as either healthcare workers or frontliners in Phase 1 (of the drive).

“Up until today, not all of our workers in the city councils are vaccinated.

“We are waiting for their vaccines, and we are ready to assist,” he said during a visit to the Penang Covid-19 screening exercise in Paya Terubong here this morning.

As of today, only 50% of Penang Island City Council (MBPP) workers and 26% of Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP) workers are vaccinated. There are a total of 3,021 MBPP staff and 4,009 MBSP staff.

Just yesterday, an MBSP office at Jalan Betek was ordered to close for six days until July 28, after 17 personnel tested positive for Covid-19.

Two days ago, MBPP Mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang revealed that 56 council workers contracted Covid-19.

Jagdeep also announced that Penang will be making full use of its 1,247 CCTV cameras to monitor standard operating procedure compliance.

The use of such cameras will also reduce the need for officers to be physically present to monitor certain areas, he added.

He said Penang has also implemented a cashless initiative at all 23 government payment centres and 56 public markets in the state.

“As of June, 1,507 hawkers in public markets in the state are using the e-payment platform, totalling 301,648 transactions and a collection value of RM5.9 million.” – The Vibes, July 24, 2021