Penang shopping centres flagged by HIDE system to reopen after sanitisation

GEORGE TOWN: The two malls and two supermarkets ordered closed after being listed under the Hotspot Identification for Dynamic Engagement (HIDE) system on Saturday (May 8) can reopen after being sanitised.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (pic) in a statement on Monday (May 10), said the decision was based on the National Security Council Covid-19 meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

"He (Muhyiddin) in the recent meeting emphasised that HIDE is an early warning system and not involving cluster incidents in those locations," Chow said.

Chow said when the HIDE system developed by Bank Negara listed the relevant locations, while the Ministry of Health made a risk assessment before ordering premises to close.

"Therefore, we have reached the decision to allow all four shopping premises to reopen on Tuesday (May 11) rather than the original date (Wednesday, May 12).

"This agreement was made after my discussions with the state Health Department and the state National Security Council earlier today," Chow said.

On Saturday, Paragon and Queensbay Mall, along with two supermarkets and a manufacturing company in the state, were ordered to close for three days from Sunday to Tuesday, with the reopening date slated for Wednesday.

On Saturday, Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said all premises and bazaars listed in HIDE will be ordered to close for three days.

Earlier, National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme Coordinating Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said all premises and locations in the HIDE system are not Covid-19 clusters, but have the potential to turn into one if pre-emptive action was not taken.