CORONAVIRUS | The Penang government will allow all essential business premises in the state to operate only from 6am to 8pm beginning tomorrow for the duration of the movement control order (MCO).

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who announced the restriction at a press conference that was streamed live on his personal Facebook page today, said the decision was made based on the suitable operating hours routine for premises in the state.

“I understand that our lives have been greatly affected during this period. I appeal to all of you to be patient. We will face this crisis together. I promise that the state government will provide assistance to all Penangites… we suffer as one, we enjoy (good times) as one,” he said.

Earlier, Chow chaired the Penang Security Special Committee meeting on the Covid-19 pandemic and it was attended by the State Security Council, Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysian Armed Forces, Penang City Council, Seberang Perai City Council, and the state Health Department.

He said that based on information from the police, more than 90 percent of Penangites complied with the MCO.

He added that although there were a few areas which continued to be problematic, such as markets not practising social distancing, local authorities have implemented various measures to improve the situation there.

“We need the public’s cooperation for social distancing at markets to work so that we can achieve our target of 100 percent compliance rate,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Padang Kota state assemblyperson also said the state recorded 66 Covid-19 positive cases until 12 noon yesterday.

The Seberang Perai Tengah district had the highest number of cases at 22, while Seberang Perai Utara and Seberang Perai Selatan had nine each, Northeast district 19 and Southwest district seven.

“We must pay serious attention to the worrying increase in the number of cases. As such, I continue to appeal to Penangites to remain committed and to sacrifice in order for the MCO to succeed,” he said.

- Bernama