GEORGE TOWN: The Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) in the Klang Valley has impacted domestic tourism in Penang.
According to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, hopes for the sector's recovery have been gravely affected, following the implementation of the CMCO in the past two weeks.
The CMCO was recently extended.
"We can't afford to face a third or fourth wave as our economy will be severely affected, aside from public health.
"This is not only in Penang. Even if Penang can be green, but if other states have increasing cases, it can affect our economy as a tourism destination.
"As it is, we were already affected when Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya were placed under the CMCO since our visitors are from these states," he told newsmen at his office in Komtar today.
Last Friday, state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin had said that the spike in Covid-19 cases in Malaysia had severely impacted Penang's tourism industry, especially when domestic tourists were unable to travel due to the CMCO.
Chow also reminded everyone to strictly adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOP) to break the chain of infection.
"If we follow the SOPs then we can achieve the green zone status.
"Previously, we maintained our own green zone for 100 days. Hope all support the authorities to restore our state to a green zone," he added.
On the latest Covid-19 cluster in the state, the Bayan cluster, Chow said it involved foreign workers, with several cases in the community reported, particularly those who are close contact to the index case.
He added that all workers in close contact had been isolated and swabbed.
The factory involved was also temporarily closed, he added, noting that several food premises visited by those who were tested positive for the virus, had also been ordered to temporarily close for disinfection to break the chain of infection.
Chow added that the state government had also applied for an extension for the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) for the Penang Remand Prison and the prison quarters.
"There are still a few more cases in prison and we need more time to break the chain of infection.
"In the Seberang Prai Prison in Jawi, the EMCO is also still in force," he added, hinting of more cases these few days.