GEORGE TOWN – The Health Ministry did not engage with the state government before putting Penang under a new month-long conditional movement control order (CMCO), said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
However, he said, the movement curbs give the state an opportunity to band together to reduce new Covid-19 infections by adhering to health standard operating procedures, such as physical distancing, wearing masks and maintaining good personal hygiene.
Of Penang’s record-high 192 cases on Friday, 164 came from the prison cluster in Seberang Prai, he said, adding that most infections are from prison clusters.
He said the CMCO does not mean that the economy will collapse.
“Business activities can continue, as do factory operations. It is just that businesses need to close earlier at 10pm and there is a limit on dine-in.”
Penang has recorded 1,324 coronavirus cases so far, of which 966 patients have recovered and three have died.
On Budget 2021, Chow said the state will accept the allocations given to it and make do with the present situation, as the pressing need is to protect the people from the pandemic and save the economy.
“Penang will make do, but we also hope that the proposed unity budget recommendations will be considered, especially on the extension of the loan moratorium.” – The Vibes, November 8, 2020
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