Penang State Government’s Reaction to the 9 newly approved sectors

In a special state security meeting chaired by Penang State Chief Minister, YAB Chow Kon Yeow this morning, several decisions were made in response to the central government’s announcement on 9 newly approved business sectors allowed to continue operations during the MCO period.

A summary of the decisions made are as follows:

1. The Penang state government acknowledges the additional 9 business sectors to be granted permission to operate during the MCO period. The state government will await further guidelines on the execution of this new arrangement from the relevant ministries.
2. The Penang state government takes the balance of the health and well being of its citizens seriously and have gathered feedback from the public relating to the approval of barbers to continue operations. More than 95% of the feedback gathered has expressed their concern in regards to the hygiene and social distancing at barber shops as many utensils are shared between many people. There is high concern that new clusters could emerge as a result of this.
3. Services involving agriculture, hardware, animal feed, vets and pet food will have operation hours extended to 5pm from 2pm previously. These sectors will be allowed to operate from 8am to 5pm for two days a week on Mondays and Thursdays only.
4. Initiatives to disinfect public areas as advised by the Ministry of Health and Penang State Health Departments have proven to be ineffective in curbing the spread of the virus. Instead, it is of utmost importance for each of us to maintain good personal hygiene. Wash your hands and bathe every time you need to go out for errands. This is the most effective way to keep yourself and your family safe from the virus.

Penangites are once again reminded to observe the MCO and give their fullest cooperation, as well as practice good personal hygiene. Together we will be able to come out of this pandemic on top.

For the full press statement, please read the below:

Pada Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Khas Keselamatan Negeri (JKKN) Pulau Pinang yang dipengerusikan oleh Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang YAB Chow Kon Yeow pagi tadi, beberapa ketetapan serta makluman telah diputuskan oleh ahli-ahli mesyuarat, antaranya:

(i) Berhubung sembilan (9) sektor pengilangan dan perkhidmatan tambahan yang dibenarkan beroperasi secara berperingkat hasil daripada pengumuman Kerajaan Pusat semalam, Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang dan Mesyuarat ambil maklum, namun kita menunggu perincian lanjut daripada kementerian-kementerian berkaitan berhubung garis panduan pelaksanaannya.

Bagi Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang, pendirian kami adalah lebih tertumpu kepada keseimbangan antara kesihatan awam dan kehidupan rakyat di negeri ini. Saya tertarik dengan ungkapan ini: “Safeguarding our lives and our livelihoods,” the shock to our lives and livelihoods from the virus-suppression efforts could be the biggest of the past 100 years. If we do not stop the virus, many people will die. If attempts to stop the pandemic cause severe damage to social and economic networks, people will experience large-scale suffering in the medium and long term”. Itulah cabaran yang kita perlu hadapi.

(ii) Bagi sektor perkhidmatan gunting rambut asas yang turut diumumkan, Kerajaan Negeri memandang serius berhubung peratusan lebih daripada 95 peratus maklum balas awam yang menyatakan kebimbangan mereka. Malah, Mesyuarat turut mengambil kira persoalan-persoalan seperti faktor-faktor penjarakan sosial dan juga kemungkinan menyebabkan wujudnya kluster baru. Justeru, Mesyuarat memutuskan bahawa Kerajaan Negeri berhak untuk tidak mengikut keputusan Kerajaan Pusat sekiranya ia masih dilaksanakan, dan berharap Kerajaan Pusat akan mengkaji semula perkara ini demi keselamatan semua pihak.

(iii) Bagi perkhidmatan-perkhimatan penjualan kedai input pertanian (baja/racun); hardware; penjualan makanan haiwan kesayangan dan ubatan yang diumumkan pada 3 April lalu, tempoh operasi akan dilanjutkan kepada jam 5 petang iaitu 8 pagi hingga 5 petang berbanding kini, 8 pagi hingga 2 petang. Hari pengoperasian masih dikekalkan iaitu dua (2) kali seminggu pada hari Isnin dan Khamis. (iv) Bagi disinfeksi kawasan umum, menurut nasihat yang diterima daripada Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM) dan juga Jabatan Kesihatan Negeri Pulau Pinang (JKNPP), inisiatif ini adalah tidak membantu dalam pembasmian kuman serta virus wabak. Apa yang lebih penting adalah kebersihan diri. Amalkan kebersihan diri sebagaimana disarankan iaitu basuh tangan dan mandi selepas terlibat dengan pergerakan di luar daripada rumah.

(iv) Bagi disinfeksi kawasan umum, menurut nasihat yang diterima daripada Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM) dan juga Jabatan Kesihatan Negeri Pulau Pinang (JKNPP), inisiatif ini adalah tidak membantu dalam pembasmian kuman serta virus wabak. Apa yang lebih penting adalah kebersihan diri. Amalkan kebersihan diri sebagaimana disarankan iaitu basuh tangan dan mandi selepas terlibat dengan pergerakan di luar daripada rumah.