GEORGE TOWN – After shutting its doors for the second time since January 18, the Mydin Hypermarket at Bukit Jambul Complex will reopen tomorrow.
The closure order was issued by the Health Ministry after one of its staff was found to have contracted the coronavirus.
Management personnel of Bukit Jambul Complex, Crystal Wong, told The Vibes that business was not affected and they would continue to serve patrons from 11am to 10pm daily.
“We sanitise every area frequently to ensure the safety of our shoppers and tenants.
“We also ensure that our shoppers follow the SOPs at all times.
“We have a lot of foreigners who come here to shop, and even though there are those who fear the spread of the virus, we believe that we should be of service to them.” she said.
Bukit Jambul Complex is located near the Free Industrial Zone in Bayan Lepas, and is frequented by foreign workers to get their daily supplies, food and apparel.
Some areas in the district had been put under an enforced movement control order (EMCO) in October and November last year after a worrying number of Covid-19 cases were reported among the hostels of foreign workers.
In the meantime, the Consumers Association of Penang highlighted that foreign factory workers should not be made scapegoats for the rise in Covid-19 numbers.
Its president, Mohideen Abdul Kader, in a statement said that the cause of the spike was the Sabah Elections on September 26, 2020, and when interstate travel was permitted from December 7, 2020.
“The government has ordered employers to ensure that all their foreign workers undergo mandatory Covid-19 screening at the start of 2021.
“We would like to ask if a month-old swab test result is still valid or if they have to take a swab test every two weeks?” he asked.
It will be a challenge for foreign workers to produce Covid-19 swab test results if the employer refrains from paying for them..
“Maximising profit was the sole objective of these employers, and the government cannot plead ignorance.
“Although such a sad situation had been reported to the authorities over the years, the latest being the Ethical Trading Initiative in 2019, the problem still remains,” he said.
Over in Langkawi, the battle to contain the number of Covid-19 positive cases remains.
One of the premises which has received a closure order to carry out sanitisation works is the District and Land Office in Kuah town.
It will remain closed until February 3 after one of its staff was believed to have contracted the coronavirus.
The famed holiday destination has seven active cases.
Meanwhile, departments at Wisma Darul Aman, Kota Setar will be closed with all personnel working from home from January 31 to February 4, 2021.
This comes following the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the state.
There were 17 new cases in the district alone yesterday.
Cases in the north are dwindling but safety measures are being undertaken to ensure the numbers do not spike further.
Penang recorded 69 new cases, Kedah, 53 and Perlis reported 5 new cases as of yesterday – The Vibes, February 1, 2021.
