Penang channels RM20m in fight against Covid-19
CORONAVIRUS | Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today announced that a fund of RM20 million will be channelled as incentives to aid and lessen the burden of the rakyat in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"The money will be channelled to the business community, small traders, and anyone affected by the disease," Chow said at a press conference today.
CORONAVIRUS | Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today announced that a fund of RM20 million will be channelled as incentives to aid and lessen the burden of the rakyat in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"The money will be channelled to the business community, small traders and anyone affected by the disease," Chow (photo) said at a press conference today.
Chow said the service centres of elected assemblypersons will also be closed although the team needs to be prepared in case of emergency.
"Public servants who are not working to provide essential services should abide by the principle of working at home.
They are not on leave or discharge from duty.
"State executive council meetings will be held as usual but will only focus on essential matters.
Chow said the state has also appointed Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim Chee Keong as the chairperson for the Communication and Citizen Empowerment sub-committed to help the Chief Minister's communications unit.
Penang imposed stringent measures to combat the virus after Putrajaya issued a nationwide directive to limit public movement for two weeks from March 18 until March 31.
The measure came after the country recorded 125 new infections yesterday, bringing the total to 566 cases, where 524 are in treatment, while 42 had been discharged.
This morning, the Penang government declared that all eateries, including hawker centres, restaurants, and cafes can operate but only for "takeaways".
No dine-ins are allowed, however, all stores that provide daily necessities including supermarkets and public markets must open as usual.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister II Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman said RM1 million has been allocated to strengthen the mosques in the state.
Zakiyuddin said it was tradition for the state to allocate the funds for mosque activities involving the community.
"In view of the Covid-19 pandemic, the state has decided that the RM1 million be used by the mosque committees at district and state level to prepare sanitisation equipment for their premises," Zakiyuddin said at a press conference in Komtar today.
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