GEORGE TOWN: The state will distribute 40,000 Covid-19 self-test kits for free in phases beginning next week.
Besides to all state assemblymen, members of parliament and senators, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the self-test kits would also be distributed to district offices as well as the state secretary office, to be given to the people of Penang who need it for free.
"As promised, the state government will be distributing 40,000 Covid-19 self-test kits for free in phases beginning next week," he said today.
In his winding up speech at the state legislative assembly sitting last week, Chow had announced an allocation of 500 Covid-19 self-test kits for each Penang state assemblyman and member of parliament to be distributed to constituents who need them.
He had said an announcement on the distribution method would be made soon.
This would involve a cost of more than RM400,000.
Meanwhile, Chow said he would join Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who will be visiting Penang this Saturday (Sept 11).
"The session is expected to focus on the need to medically-equip our hospitals and medical centres in facing the surge in daily Covid-19 cases in recent weeks.
"Besides a special briefing session involving the state Health Department and the state Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF), the minister is also expected to visit the Penang Hospital to see the current situation for himself.
"In fact, I have written an official letter to the minister, dated yesterday, with regards to our need for medical equipment and expertise," he added.
In another development, Chow said some 2,481 individuals participated in the state's walk-in vaccination option which kicked off yesterday under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Plan (NIP).
"Those who meet the criteria are welcomed to walk-in for vaccination. This will enable our adult population to receive their vaccination and subsequently for us to achieve herd immunity," he added.