GEORGE TOWN – Crowds ushering in the new year last night came in smaller numbers compared to previous years, said Penang police.
Teams on enforcement rounds said they found crowds at the Esplanade field and heritage enclave in Chulia Street while out on patrol from 10pm yesterday until 3am today.
But the tourism belt in Batu Ferringhi was quiet.
Police deployed 211 personnel to check various parts of the township here to ensure there were no large crowds as Penang is now under the recovery movement control order, except Mukim 12 and 13.
George Town police chief Soffian Santong told The Vibes that there were noticeable crowds at Esplanade and Chulia Street but after spotting police presence, the crowds started to disperse or tried to adhere to physical distancing.
The police also checked restaurants and bistros, homestays, night markets, and conducted crime prevention rounds.
They inspected 800 people, 165 vehicles, and 61 restaurants and bistros.
Twenty-seven people were issued compounds for not registering themselves via the application of MySejahtera, nine premises operators were fined for violating SOPs, and three people were nabbed for drunk-driving.
Soffian said the police want people to be mindful of the spread of Covid-19. – The Vibes, January 1, 2021
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