GEORGE TOWN: Many youth here have decided to take a day off from work to get their Covid-19 vaccines as 10 centres in Penang are now open for walk-ins.

       Among them was Alex Hong, who was at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre on Wednesday (Sept 8) morning to receive his first dose.

       The 29-year-old business development executive said he applied for leave immediately after learning that those who had not been vaccinated could walk in to get their jabs.

       Mini market cashier Nur Farah Izzati, 19, was also eager to get vaccinated as she had to deal with many customers every day.

       "I am working at a mini market nearby while waiting to enter university.

       "I registered myself through the MySejahtera app in July," she said.

       Meanwhile, Setia SPICE Convention Centre PPV manager Dr Norhashimah Ismail said some people arrived as early as 7.30am.

       On Tuesday (Sept 7), Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said 10 vaccination centres in Penang would be open for Malaysians to walk in for the vaccines starting from 10am on Wednesday.

       He said this would be open to those aged 18 and above who had not received their appointments or yet to register under the vaccination programme.

       The 10 centres are Setia SPICE Convention Centre in Bayan Lepas, Pesta site in Sungai Nibong, and the Balik Pulau Sports Complex on the island.

       On the mainland, the vaccination centres are at the Dewan Milenium and Perda Convention Centre in Tasek Gelugor, SP Arena, Seberang Jaya expo site and Vangohh Eminent Hotel in Machang Bubok, as well as Dewan Sungai Bakap and Dewan Serbaguna Jawi in south Seberang Prai.