Preparing for new world when Covid-19 is gone

Cancer Survivors Malaysia members measuring non-woven material to make personal protective equipment (PPE) suits and head covers at a centre in Kedah.

PENANG has formulated a strategy to face a new world once the Covid-19 pandemic crisis ends.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the strategy dubbed ‘Penang Next Normal’ would focus on three main missions.

“We will work on strengthening the eco-system, aligning it towards changes in the 21st century and building resilience to face possibility of any future crisis.

“Penang cannot be in crisis mode forever. Experts in various fields have predicted that even after the Covid-19 pandemic is over, the world will see major changes.

“The way we move, interact and conduct business will change. Hence, in our battle against the virus and its spread, we have prepared a way to face new situations, ” he said in a press conference broadcast live via his personal Facebook page yesterday.

Chow also updated that no new clusters of infection were recorded in Penang and all frontliners are reportedly in healthy condition.

He said the state had achieved 97.84% compliance towards the movement control order (MCO), with 861 individuals arrested so far for violating the order.

Chow also expressed the state’s commitment to deliver adequate personal protection equipment (PPE) to all frontliners at various departments.

“Since April 11, the state distributed 1.3 million face masks to frontliners and people in need of them.

“Besides that, 30,510 PPE sets were handed over to the respective departments along with 309,700 gloves and shoe covers, ” he said, adding that some of them were donated by NGOs and private companies.

On a separate matter, Chow said the state is planning to carry out cloud seeding in Penang and Kedah in view of the dry spell.

“I have written to the Meteorological Department and the Environment Ministry regarding the matter, and they replied saying that they are ready to have it done in the northern region when it is suitable.

“The method used is usually dry seeding at dams. The cost of the aircraft rental and hygroscopic flare will be borne by the state while the Meteorological Department will provide technical and expertise support.

“The seeding is expected to benefit about 3.95 million people residing in Penang and Kedah who are in need of water to maintain proper sanitation in the battle against the Covid-19 spread, ” said Chow.