GEORGE TOWN: Thirty-two people, including four foreigners, were slapped with RM5,000 compound each after they were caught loitering and hanging out at Persiaran Karpal Singh here this afternoon.
They were caught gathering in groups at the seafront promenade without valid reason to be out of their homes during the Movement Control Order (MCO) 3.0.
Northeast district police chief Assistant Commissioner Soffian Santong said they were seated at the seafront promenade without an important reason to be out of their homes during the lockdown.
"They have flouted the standard operating procedures (SOP) put in place during the lockdown period to stay indoors unless they have valid reasons to be out.
"As such, they were slapped with compound of RM5,000 each, including the foreigners," he said.
Soffian said the groups had flouted Regulation 4 of the Disease Prevention Measure and Control Act 2021, punishable under Regulation 17 of the same act.
He said the foreigners were also being investigated under Section 6(1) of the Immigration Act.
"We want to remind people to remain at home if there is no important need for them to be outside since we are under lockdown," he added.
Malaysia in currently under MCO 3.0 until June 7. Today, Penang recorded 187 Covid-19 cases.