Covid-19: Penang shuts down 33 premises for not complying with SOP

GEORGE TOWN (Bernama): Thirty-three premises in Penang have been ordered closed since the movement control order (MCO) was enforced for failure to comply with the standard operating procedure (SOP) on Covid-19 prevention.

State local government committee chairman, Jagdeep Singh Deo said that out of the 33 premises, 13 were located on the island and 20 on the mainland.

"On Penang island, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has closed down 10 restaurants, two mini markets and one public market for not complying with the SOP.

"On the mainland, Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP) took the same action against 20 premises, including four food courts, a number of public markets and an entertainment joint,” he said at a press conference on Monday (Oct 5).

He said due to the recent spike in Covid-19 cases in Malaysia, both city councils would take sterner action and enhance their operations to ensure that the SOPs were practised at all times, especially in crowded areas.

"Starting tomorrow (Oct 6), MBPP and MBSP will increase their manpower for ensuring SOP compliance at hotspots such as public markets and restaurants,” he said, adding that the number of staff mobilised would depend on the size of the premises.

Jagdeep expressed gratitude to Penangites for playing their role by adhering to the SOP on Covid-19 prevention.

He said that as of Sunday (Oct 4), MBPP conducted checks on 335,116 premises on the island and recorded an SOP compliance rate of 99.65%.

"On the mainland, MBSP recorded an SOP compliance rate of 99.3% after conducting checks on 571,516 premises,” he added. - Bernama