GEORGE TOWN – Seberang Prai runs the risk of being choked with rubbish and seeing its drains clogged if city council workers are not vaccinated soon.
In the event that these workers contract Covid-19, they will be unable to collect waste and clean drains.
Given this, Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP) Mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud is calling for all council workers to be vaccinated as soon as possible to ensure manpower issues do not arise.
“The orange warriors of MBSP face the very real risk of contracting Covid-19 every day. They are the ones picking up rubbish, and some of them have, in fact, caught the virus.
“If that is the case, and they are not vaccinated, I am forced to withdraw them from working in the field.
“And if I do that for the safety of the workers, it will affect the frequency of rubbish collection, the drains cannot be unclogged, and we might have a dengue problem later on.”
To date, there have been 98 coronavirus infections among MBSP employees, with 36 cases still active.
Rozali noted that the immunisation rate has increased among council members, from 1,297 (32%) vaccinated on Tuesday to 1,650 (41%) on Friday.
Both Rozali and state Housing, Local Government, and Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo also urged the federal government to categorise traders and hawkers at markets as frontliners, so that they can get vaccinated quickly.
There have been many reports of Covid-19 infections at morning markets, forcing sporadic closures.
“Three morning markets have been asked to close, with one still shut,” said Rozali.
“MBSP and the state have taken action, and I hope there are no more cases of this nature.”
Jagdeep said many essential employees have to work daily, and they come into contact with the public.
There are 2,042 traders under the Penang Island City Council, and only 837 have been vaccinated. Of the 3,316 under MBSP, just 662 have received their jab.
“This is a huge number, and if they don’t get vaccinated and get infected, the people who patronise these market are at risk,” said Jagdeep.
“They are essential workers, they have to remain open so that people can buy food.
“Please hear our plea, get them their vaccinations.” – The Vibes, August 1, 2021
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