GEORGE TOWN – Only recreational activities, cycling, jogging and exercising without physical contact are allowed in Penang during the movement control order (MCO), keeping group activities such as hiking off cards.
Several recreational parks and sports facilities are also closed to the public, except for walking and jogging trails, where people must maintain a physical distance of at least 1.5m.
The areas closed are Bukit Dumbar Park, Relau Sports Complex, Taman Sri Pinang Community Hall, Tg Bunga Community Hall, Teluk Bahang Community Hall, Jalan Patani Community Hall, Batu Lancang Community Hall, City Stadium, Polo field and Dato Keramat field in the Northeast district.
In Seberang Perai Tengah, the closed areas are Jalan Betek Sports Complex, Mengkuang Dam, Sony Complex, PBAPP Bukit DO Recreation Park, Bukit Indah Recreation Park, Upcycle Park, Tekoma Pool, Eco Corridor MBSP, 1 Baby 1 Tree Park and People Aquarium in Bandar Perda; Taman Tunku and Semilang Recreation Park in Seberang Jaya; and, Kimsar Park.
In Seberang Perai Selatan, the closed grounds are Stadium Negeri in Batu Kawan, Ampang Jajar Kerian Recreation Park in Nibong Tebal, Kg Sanglang Recreation Park and Valdor Public Neighbourhood Park.
Bayan Baru Community and Taman Tugu Kota Demokrasi at Mukim 12 of the Southwest District, Mukim 14, and Dato Haji Ahmad Badawi Hall, Taman Pantai and Anjung Bagan in Seberang Perai Utara are also closed.
Following the announcement, the Penang Island City Council has undertaken safety measures to seal off parts of Youth Park to ensure its equipment remains untouched during the MCO.
Mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang told a press conference that Youth Park is still open for the public, subject to strict standard operating procedure (SOP).
“Outdoor activities are allowed, but all indoor activities are closed.
“All playgrounds in parks located in the areas under MCO will be sealed off.
“Those who are doing their outdoor exercises can only do it within the district they are staying in,” he said, adding that those within Mukim 12 of the Southwest district are not supposed to leave the subdistrict at all.
As soon as the MCO took effect, Youth Park saw a dip in the number of visitors.
As at noon today, 126 people have entered the park and 100 have exited.
Only 200 are allowed in the 16.9ha park at any one time, and there is a registration station to account for each visitor entering and exiting.
Since hiking is not allowed, MBPP may also seal off all hiking entrances within the park.
Penang Youth and Sports exco Soon Lip Chee said on Facebook that although flexibility has been given to sports and recreational activities, the public is reminded to adhere to all SOPs set by the National Security Council and the Youth and Sports Ministry to assure personal hygiene and safety. – The Vibes, May 10, 2021
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