GEORGE TOWN – Penang’s beaches are bustling as tourists flock to the island following the lifting of the interstate travel ban for fully vaccinated individuals.
Traffic is heavy on all of the island’s major roads, but most activities are concentrated in Batu Ferringhi, where resort hotels hug the shore.
It does not look like visitors have taken heed of the veiled discouragement by some over fears of spreading Covid-19. Many are seen thronging nasi kandar outlets, hawker stalls and cafes, while hotels have recorded an occupancy rate exceeding 50% on average.
Traffic started to build up on Thursday evening, with vehicles parked along the road in Batu Ferringhi causing a slowdown on the winding, two-lane main route. Today, cars are stuck in a bumper-to-bumper crawl from Tg Bungah to Batu Ferringhi.
Dozens of vehicles were seen parked along the Tg Tokong beach, with weekenders setting up tents and picnic mats.
Some residents who live on the beachfront expressed unhappiness over the litter left behind.
A resident, who declined to be named, told The Vibes that she started picking up trash after dawn, filling up many plastic bags with beer cans and plastic food packaging, among others.
Penang Island City Council (MBPP) teams have been deployed to clean up the beachfront areas at the Esplanade, Queensbay and Batu Ferringhi today.
MBPP posted a reminder on social media in a bid to boost public awareness on the importance of caring for marine life, urging beachgoers not to litter.
George Town, meanwhile, registered relatively low foot traffic, although the number of vehicles in the Penang capital increased upon the reopening of state borders.
The traffic congestion is largely contributed by road closures in Little India after canopies were set up ahead of Deepavali shopping and celebrations in the first week of November.
Long lines have formed at popular food outlets, where owners are trying to control the crowd to avoid getting fined for breaching standard operating procedures. The Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul stall has hired Rela personnel to help with this.
Last week, state tourism and creative economy exco Yeoh Soon Hin said it is everyone’s duty to ensure SOP compliance and enforcement.
“We believe that the resumption of interstate travel will be a catalyst for an economic reboot of the state’s tourism industry.
“However, the cooperation of all parties in complying with the SOPs is pivotal.” – The Vibes, October 17, 2021
