GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has warned Penangites to brace themselves for the worst if they continue to ignore the Movement Contol Order (MCO).
"The total number of Covid-19 positive cases nationwide has now breached the 1,300 mark while the number of positive cases in Penang was 58 as of yesterday, with one death reported in the state.
"This is now a very worrying situation. Please do not be stubborn anymore. All of us have to strictly obey the MCO. Otherwise, the MCO period might be further extended and this will cause even more difficulties," he said.
As an additional measure to ensure the people stay at home, Chow said, the Rapid Penang bus services would be reduced by 70 per cent while the free CAT bus services would be reduced by 50 per cent effective today.
He also advised the people to use the delivery services to get their daily necessities.
"Many things happened in the last 24 hours.
"New instructions were given especially by the city councils for the people to stay indoors such as the restriction order given to roadside stalls which involved four markets on the island," he said, adding that the Air Itam public market gained much attention due to its large crowd in the first few days of the implementation of the MCO until certain irresponsible people politicised the issue.
He said Penang Pakatan Harapan was criticised for being a weak state government for allowing crowds at the market, while some parties had turned it into a racial issue and blamed certain races.
"I am very much against such irresponsible actions. From day one, I have stressed that I am not interested at all in politicising this pandemic issue.
"We should not even feel proud that the number of positive Covid-19 cases in Penang is lower than other states, including those governed by different political parties.
"Now is not the time to differentiate the people of Malaysia. The Covid-19 victims in Penang are Malaysians. The Covid-19 victims in Johor are Malaysians and so are those in Kelantan and Sarawak. Stop politicising Covid-19! All of us must concentrate our efforts in the fight against this pandemic as one country and one nation," he said.
Chow said he had been informed by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) that the situation in the four markets, especially the Air Itam market, was now under control.
Most markets have now implemented social distancing measures by marking the distance of one-meter on the floor. As an additional measure, all roadside stalls at Pulau Tikus market will be closed effective tomorrow.
Disinfection works on the mainland (under the Seberang Prai City Council) will be carried out twice daily whereas the fish stalls, vegetable stalls and others will be cleaned with the use of detergents everyday by the traders concerned.
For areas under the jurisdiction of MBPP, disinfection works will be carried out in all markets everyday by the frontliners of the council.
Chow, who was asked by newsmen to clarify on the ban for people to move between the island and the mainland, said he discussed the enforcement of the MCO with the state police chief.
"The people are allowed to move between the island and mainland with a valid reason.
"This matter was raised during the Special Task Force meeting this morning and the state police chief explained that this was in line with the MCO, where road blocks are set up in order to achieve the purpose of the MCO, that is to discourage outdoor activities and travel except for valid reasons. So, if you are leaving your house with permission for work, you won’t be stopped at the road block.
"But the bottomline is, it is best for you to stay at home and do not simply leave your home," he stressed.
Since this morning, thousands of motorists were caught in a grid lock from Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, heading towards the Penang Bridge, following a road block mounted before the bridge.
Motorist David Yim who left the city centre about 10.30am to go to a factory on the mainland for work, was still caught in the gridlock at about 2.30pm.
"For the past 3 hours, I am only able to move about 3km.
"Although I am stuck in traffic for almost 3 hours. I am thankful to the authorities for standing under the scorching sun for long hours to check the vehicles," he added.
Northeast district polcie chief Assistant Commissioner Soffian Santong was reported as saying that commuters who wanted to avoid the traffic snarl can use Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah as an alternative road to get to their destination.