GEORGE TOWN: Penang has launched a campaign to encourage its people here to habitually use hand sanitisers before entering elevators and their homes.
It is especially targeted to those living in high-rise buildings and neighbourhoods.
The campaign, which was initially promoted through social media, is part of the state’s efforts to assist health authorities flatten the curve of the Covid-19 pandemic here.
As of noon on March 26, Penang registered over 70 infections and one death due to Covid-19.
In his daily social media briefing here, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that the campaign will be rolled out in stages as the state government receives the supply of hand sanitisers and starts distributing it accordingly to selected high rise communities through state assemblypersons here.
Hand sanitisers are to be placed outside elevators of all high rise apartments and condominiums across Penang.
They will also be sent to management corporations or residential committee associations of such properties for distribution to the people.
Penang also managed to raise monies towards the state-initiated Covid-19 welfare fund, said Chow.
“In just a day, the private sector in Penang managed to pledge almost RM2 million to fight the virus.”
Contributions can be made to the Covid-19 Penang Fund through Maybank to account number 557054620930.
As the movement control order entered its ninth day, Chow said: ”We are no longer running in a sprint. We are now running a marathon. Let us ensure that all of us reserve our strength to complete this race.”
He added that although the RM75 million state aid package will cater to 15 specific groups covering more than 400,000 direct recipients, he assured that incentives will also go to those financially affected by the MCO and the virus.
Meanwhile, on the Penang Business Continuity Zero Interest Loan Scheme, Chow said the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) will announce its application procedure by Tuesday.
Penang has also distributed 700,000 gloves donated by Top Glove to state health authorities here for distribution to front liners in the fight against the pandemic, Chow said.
