GEORGE TOWN: Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow will not have the Chinese New Year open house this year.
According to a statement from the state Information Department, the matter has been decided by the state government.
"The decision follows the current Covid-19 pandemic situation in the state, which has yet to fully recover.
"It also takes into account the health and safety of the people of Penang.
"As such, the Penang government has decided that the Chief Minister's Chinese New Year open house will not be held this year," it said.
According to the state Information Department, there were strict standard operating procedures (SOP) to adhere to, following several Covid-19 cases of the Omicron variant recently.
Chinese in the country will be celebrating Chinese New Year on Feb 1 and Feb 2.
It was reported that Penang recorded two cases of the Covid-19 Omicron variant as of late last month.
The two cases involved individuals who returned from Saudi Arabia after performing the umrah.