Penang outlines three post Covid-19 missions

CORONAVIRUS | The Penang government has drawn up three missions via its Penang Next Normal Strategy as preparation to face the new situation after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (above) said the three missions outlined are strengthening Penang’s ecosystem, streamlining the ecosystem to changes in the 21st century and building resilience to face any crisis in future.

“As I have said several days ago, Penang cannot be in a crisis forever. Experts from various fields have predicted that even if the Covid-19 outbreak ends, the world will see major changes to what we considered as normal to adapt to the new situation.

“For example, the way we move, interact, conduct business and so on, will change. Therefore, in our fight against the Covid-19 outbreak, the state government had also made preparations for the new situation through the Penang Next Normal Strategy,” he said in a media conference streamed live via his personal Facebook site yesterday.

He said the strategy would also see revamps in terms of institution, economics and social and they have even been implemented in the operation of the government such as encouraging e-commerce via buying online campaign and e-Bazar Ramadan.

He added changes were also seen when the Penang Youth Corporation organised competitions such as e-sports Stay at Home league which will be held from April 18 apart from the virtual round table conference on 'PLC19 eCrowdSource: Hacking the Next Normal' on April 20.

“I am confident with all our efforts, Penang will be able to come out of the crisis and continue to develop and achieve excellence."

In this regard, Chow said based on the information received from Penang Health Department director Dr Asmayani Khalib, the supply of personal protection equipment (PPE) in the state is still under control and the state government is committed to ensuring adequate supply of PPE for government hospitals and clinics in the state.

According to him, 30,510 units of PPE, as well as 309,700 gloves and shoe covers received by the state government would be channelled to the parties concerned including equipment such as thermometers, hand sanitiser and face shields.

On compliance of the movement control order (MCO), he said the rate of compliance in the state as of yesterday was at 97.84 percent with 861 individuals arrested for flouting the MCO.

- Bernama 

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