GEORGE TOWN – Despite the Health Ministry removing the requirement for people entering public and commercial premises to have their temperatures scanned, some places are not doing away with the practice.
A random survey of several public premises yielded mixed findings. Some premises had disbanded their temperature screening devices, while some continued checking. Some outlets even deployed workers to man the devices.
Nevertheless, many people continued with their businesses, entering the premises and in a disciplined manner having their temperatures checked, apparently without realising that there is no longer a need to do so.
A spokesperson with a shopping mall here said that some shop operators prefer to continue scanning the temperatures of their customers as a precaution in view of the resurgence of Covid-19 cases, while some opted to stop taking temperatures.
Fever is regarded as one of the main tell-tale signs of Covid-19.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein had announced on Wednesday that temperature scans and record books will no longer be required before entering premises, while umrah travel is allowed to resume today onwards.
“With this abolishment, premises owners are no longer required to prepare temperature screening tools and check-in record books. But guests are still required to check in using the MySejahtera app.”
However, Hishammuddin said the government encourages premises owners who still want to practice temperature checks and record books at their establishments to do so.
Hotelier Reginald Thomas Pereira has preferred to continue with the checks to provide an assurance to his guests that his establishment treasures the standard operating procedures (SOPs) because it provides a sense of safety among the people.
“As long as Covid-19 is lurking, we need to be mindful. So, there is nothing wrong to inform our guests on the need to continue observing SOPs.”
State exco for local government Jagdeep Singh Deo urged people to continue to be on guard when out in public areas despite the reduction in checks.
Penang has witnessed over a 100% rise in cases in the past 14 days, according to the CovidNow portal.
Although the number of those brought-in-dead due to the virus has been stabilised, state exco for health Dr Norlela Arrifin wants the community to be mindful that the infectious Omicron variant is believed to have seeped into the various communities here.
“It is still Covid-19 although there are reports that Omicron’s symptoms are mild. We still need to be careful,” she said.
Doctors here also encourage people to maintain their vigilance and to continue undergoing self-testing as one of the key elements in battling the virus - The Vibes, February 11, 2022
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