GEORGE TOWN – Batu Lanchang assemblyman Ong Ah Teong has mooted for the authorities to subsidise the cost of RTK-Ag test kits for hawkers and traders at wet markets in view of closures due to Covid-19 outbreaks.
In view of four wet markets on the island being shut down temporarily due to fresh infections, Ong hopes despite the government’s announcement of RM16 being the ceiling price per unit for RTK-Ag test kits purchased in bulk, it can still be subsidised specifically for hawkers and traders who are dealing with people daily.
“I hope the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) can subsidise at maybe RM5 per kit, and under my office, I can subsidise another RM5 for traders at the Batu Lanchang wet market.
“We will then work closely with the association of market traders and operators here to ensure all those working can get tested once in two weeks to ensure they test negative for Covid-19 before they can do business,” he said.
Aiming to reduce the number of people heading to the market, Ong said his office also plans to launch a drive-through programme where people can order the items they require and pick them up without leaving their vehicles.
“It has been very difficult for the people working in the market as this is the second time the market has been ordered to close.
“All 180 workers involved have been ordered to undergo screening at either private clinics or Lam Wah Ee Hospital,” he said.
The Batu Lanchang market was initially ordered shut from July 29 to August 18.
Upon reopening, however, the market was again forced to close today because four traders from vegetable, fish and pork stalls had caught Covid-19.
Three more traders are awaiting their test results.
Ong said all traders in the wet market have all received their first vaccine doses.
Batu Lanchang Traders Association chairman Poh Chai Lee hopes all the traders will get tested as soon as possible so the market will be allowed to open sooner.
“The last time we had to close, we had to remain closed for three weeks. It really affected us and our income. This is the second time.
“In fact, this is the third time all of us are going for our screening,” he said.
Penang exco Jagdeep Singh Deo said the state Health Department and MBPP also shut down the Rifle Range wet market yesterday, while the Bukit Gedung wet market voluntarily ceased operations temporarily as an act of precaution against surging cases.
“We have news that we might have to close down a few more markets in Seberang Prai, but we will have to conduct inspections first.
“In the meantime, we are waiting for more vaccines from the federal government as our mobile vaccination programme that ended yesterday was a success.
“We had 11,000 vaccines, and 100% were administered to all traders in Penang. We still need more than 17,340 registered traders to be vaccinated,” he said. – The Vibes, September 3, 2021
