LANGKAWI – The resort island of Langkawi has successfully vaccinated more than 80% of its adult population, based on the MySejahtera app’s data.
Kedah Health Department director Dr Othman Warijo confirmed this to The Vibes, saying that, as of now, more than 80% of some 100,000 people who have registered have received full vaccine doses of either the Pfizer-BioNTech, Sinovac or AstraZeneca jab.
However, Othman reserved comment on whether this means that the island has attained herd immunity, saying more studies are needed before the authorities can official announce this.
As of now, the island still has more than 1,000 active Covid-19 cases.
Othman added that there are discussions between the district office and Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) on when fully vaccinated tourists can travel to the island.
Initially, Tourism Malaysia had declared that most island resorts in the country, such as Langkawi and Tioman, can begin accepting fully vaccinated tourists from tomorrow, but concern has arisen due to the number of active cases here.
Othman said that it would be ideal for all employers to ensure that their workers here are fully vaccinated to put tourists at ease.
Langkawi Businesses Association deputy president Datuk Alexander Issac said that it is best for the reopening to be made gradually so that standard operating procedures can be fine-tuned while operators can better gauge interest among tourists.
“We need to inject confidence back into the markets so people will come.”
Meanwhile, in Penang, more than 80% of MySejahtera users have received at least their first dose. The state is working to entice hotels to convert their operations into low-risk quarantine centres to accommodate Covid-19 patients in categories 1 and 2.
The state has also seen a surge in cases and deaths, despite strides made in its vaccination drive.
The Royale Chulan Hotel here in Penang will be used as a low-risk centre effective Thursday, said state tourism exco Yeoh Soon Hin.
He said that this transformation provides low-risk Covid-19 patients with another self-paid quarantine option.
“Prior to this transformation, the hotel operated as a quarantine hotel to house workers from factories. However, the surge of Covid-19 cases within the state requires the urgent establishment of an additional centre.”
Royale Chulan has joined the Voux, Rainbow Paradise and the Bahang Bay properties that are now used as Covid-19 quarantine stations.
Meanwhile, more establishments here were ordered to close, including a KFC outlet in Sg Dua, the Osram factory in the Bayan Lepas Free Trade Zone and eateries in George Town due to the detection of positive cases.
In Alor Star, Kedah, the Fuller Hotel is expected to be converted into a low-risk centre to accommodate patients there. – The Vibes, August 31, 2021
