SHAH ALAM: A total of 2.09 million people in Selangor have been fully vaccinated, says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.

       He said this in a virtual press conference to disclose the various initiatives to battle the spread of Covid-19 in the state.

       Among the initiatives was providing free Covid-19 test kits for Selangor residents.

       "Sixty thousand free saliva test kits will be distributed throughout Selangor beginning September to families of those who have tested positive for Covid-19,'' said Amirudin on Thursday (Aug 12).

       He added the programme would be carried out through public service centres as well as constituency coordination offices.

       Amirudin said the details of the families would be obtained from the data compiled through public screening conducted by the state's healthcare conduit Selcare.

       Amirudin also said Selangor would help families of those who have died from Covid-19 for burial and cremation expenses.

       He said for non-Muslims, the funds will come from the allocation set aside for temples which have not yet been disbursed.

       "We can contribute up to RM1,000 and if the cost is about RM2,000 and more, we will subsidise some of it,'' added Amirudin.

       On another matter, Amirudin said the Selangor government would raise its concerns over the reopening of schools in September to the National Security Council (NSC) after thoroughly discussing the matter at state level.

       "We will discuss the matter next week and advise the National Security Council to ensure that the decision to reopen schools in September is not premature."

       Selangor is currently the state with the highest number of Covid-19 cases in the country.