GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government welcomes Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin's announcement that international borders could re-open in the second quarter.

       Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the statement was a much more realistic target compared to National Recovery Council (NRC) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's statement of re-opening the borders on March 1.

       Chow said the Covid-19 cases in the country were rising and there was no hurry for the border to be re-opened.

       "There was a need for cautious planning, taking into consideration people's safety and livelihood and I believe the Health Ministry knows what to do," said Chow after launching Rose Charities Malaysia charity project here on Sunday (Feb 20).

       Khairy was quoted as saying that the Health Ministry would come out with the standard operating procedures on border re-opening which would have to undergo several stages.

       He said it would be presented to the Covid-19 pandemic management committee chaired by the Prime Minister and finally to the Cabinet for approval as it was a national policy issue.