GEORGE TOWN: Walk-in Covid-19 vaccination will kick off in 10 vaccination centres (PPV) in Penang beginning tomorrow.
The walk-in vaccination is only open to Malaysians aged 18 and above.
The PPVs on the island designated for walk-ins are the SPICE Convention Centre (SPICE CC), Sungai Nibong 'pesta' ground and the Balik Pulau Sports Complex.
As for the mainland, the PPVs involved are the Perda Convention Centre, Dewan Millennium, SP Arena, Seberang Jaya exco ground, Vangohh Eminent; Dewan Sungai Bakap and the Dewan Serbaguna Jawi.
All the PPVs will begin operations at 10am for walk-ins.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the operating hours was set to avoid any issues and congestion based on strict standard operating procedures (SOP).
He said they have listed out the criteria for those who wish to walk-in.
"Firstly, they must be 18 and above and Malaysian. For that, they need to bring their MyKad along for verification.
"To qualify, they must have not registered with MySejahtera or have yet to receive their appointment date.
"This will be on a first come, first served basis," he said.
Chow said the walk-in recipients must update their MySejahtera app before going to the PPVs.
"They must also ensure that they have no symptoms, are not designated as close contacts and are not under quarantine," he added.
Meanwhile, Chow said the state Health Department, during the state National Security special committee meeting on Covid-19 management today, gave its commitment to improve response time management from the call centre to monitor Covid-19 patients or close contacts who are under home quarantine.
"The state Health Department will improve on the response time from the call centre between 24 and 48 hours according to the category of the Covid-19 patients, depending on whether they are high risk or low risk," he added.
Additionally, for the management of Covid-19 positive cases, the initiatives currently deployed by the state government with cooperation from various quarters, include:
* Operations of Covid-19 Assessment Centre (CAC) or CAC Call Centre are from 8am to 10pm daily through the hotline 04-3827143/04-3827142;
* Pre-hospital care under the Penang Covid-19 Unified Command Centre (PUCC) has been improved with the 999 Covid-19 call services as well as transportation services for patients to hospitals or the Low Risk Covid-19 Quarantine and Treatment Centre; and
*Careline PgCare Alliance at 04-6427777 or e-mail pgcarealliance@gmail.com