GEORGE TOWN – Traders and hawkers who are in quarantine due to closures of markets and food courts should be compensated for their loss of business, said Penang exco Jagdeep Singh Deo.
Jagdeep, who is the state housing, local government, town and country planning committee chairman, said affected traders and hawkers may not test positive for Covid-19, but suffer financially when their premises are ordered to shut due to a positive case.
He said in a statement today that the authorities could perhaps provide food for those in quarantine.
“In view of the lack of help from the (federal) government, we have decided to help by providing essentials such as rice, flour, sugar, and cooking oil, as well as spices to those affected by the closure of their premises.”
Yesterday, a major wet market in Taman Free School was closed until November 27 after a trader was suspected to have contracted Covid-19.
“The closure will involve 68 stalls in the market. Traders are required to undergo swab tests. There are 136 stalls at the market comprising hawkers and traders,” said Jagdeep.
The closure is to allow for disinfection work.
Penang yesterday recorded two new Covid-19 clusters.
The Assumption cluster is from Seberang Prai Utara and Seberang Prai Selatan, with six new cases yesterday, while the Rajawali cluster recorded three new cases.
Meanwhile, state agriculture and agro-based industry, rural development and health committee chairman Dr Norlela Ariffin said there were hundreds of contact tracing efforts underway.
She added that more of her department’s efforts will be announced soon. – The Vibes, November 15, 2020
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