GEORGE TOWN – The Penang Immigration Department headquarters in Seberang Jaya has allowed several of its units and the Juru immigration depot to resume operations two weeks after several enforcement officers were found to be close contacts of Covid-19 cases.
According to sources, a number of units at the headquarters were ordered to shut and officers asked to self-quarantine after a detained foreigner, caught during a raid on the construction site two weeks ago, tested positive for the coronavirus.
Among officers placed under home quarantine are two from Bayan Baru, and those who were not involved in the raid were asked to work from home.
However, all the enforcement officers have since been cleared by the Health Department and returned to the office from Monday.
While these events were taking place, the operations of the passport and visa units have been proceeding as usual.
The Health Department has also ordered the depot to be reopened, after it reported 89 Covid-19 cases two weeks ago.
The coronavirus-positive foreigner is being treated at Kepala Batas Hospital.
The Health Ministry had on March 25 ordered the depot to close, after some 90 inmates were found positive, with the officers directed to be quarantined at the camp.
Penang yesterday reported 110 new Covid-19 cases, bringing the tally to 16,918. – The Vibes, April 7, 2021
