GEORGE TOWN: Penang returned to being a Covid-19 green zone state yesterday after no new cases were reported.
The good news was shared by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow on his official Facebook page yesterday, with a photo of Komtar, the state's tallest building, draped in green - a symbol that the state was back to being a green zone.
"Hooorayyy. Green is our favourite colour! We are a green zone state again.
"Please follow the SOP (standard operating procedure) and stay safe!" he posted.
The post has since been shared close to 1,000 times.
After more than three months of being a green zone state, Penang recorded its first Covid-19 case on Aug 7.
Since then, nine other cases were reported, involving all five districts in the state, bringing the tally to 136 Covid-19 cases in total with two deaths.
All the cases were linked to Kedah's Sivagangga and Tawar clusters and Perak's Kurau cluster and did not originate in Penang.
The state Health Department also took to social media to share the 14-day moving chart, which showed the state back to being a green zone.
Nevertheless, the department advised the people to continue to strictly abide by the SOP put in place by the authorities such as practicing the highest level of hygiene, physical distancing, mandatory wearing of face masks in public places and to avoid any form of gathering.
State Tourism Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin today welcomed the Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA) interstate members for a visit to learn about Penang's history, culture, heritage and arts.
"Penang resumes its status as green zone yesterday.
"I urge everyone to remain vigilant and practice responsible tourism in line with state approach towards ensuring compliance with SOP," he added.