GEORGE TOWN: By 8am, workers from the manufacturing sector who were selected to get their Covid-19 immunisation, were already eagerly waiting outside the vaccination centre (PPV) at Equatorial Hotel Penang.

       Quality engineer S. Malliga, 53, said she was grateful vaccinations were being expedited for employees like her under the Public-Private Partnership Covid-19 Industry Immunisation Programme (Pikas).

       “It was very convenient. It took less than an hour to complete the whole process of getting the jab,” she said.

       Malliga said she felt a bit more protected now and would be more comfortable going to work.

       “I got the Sinovac vaccine and was asked to come again next month to get my second dose,” she said.

       Her friend Lim Jin Hwa, 29, said she has been working from home since last year and hoped with the vaccination, she could return to the office.

       “Working at home is not that bad, but I prefer to be at the office. Hopefully, we can do that soon,” she said.

       The senior procurement executive urged all her colleagues and fellow industrial workers to get registered as soon as possible.

       Amira Fitriah Abdullah, 22, said the implementation of Pikas came at the right time to curb the Covid-19 infection.

       “As an economic frontliner, I feel the vaccination exercise is a good move to prevent the virus infection. It is now safer for us and also for our family.”

       Lauding it as a necessary move, Patrick Ang, 40, a sales executive at a food processing factory in Bukit Minyak, said he was thankful for the implementation of Pikas.

       Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who dropped by, said the PPV at the hotel was the second one for the economic frontliners and the first hotel that has been converted into a PPV in the country.

       “With the capacity of 1,500 doses per day, it will enable the state to achieve herd immunity in October this year,” he said.

       Chow said at the same time, the state government was still waiting for the Federal Government to approve the state’s request to start the remaining PPV for the industrial sector in the state.

       He said at least 10 more PPV on site were expected to open, pending approval from the Federal Government.

       Meanwhile, Equatorial Hotel property manager Teoh Eng Hin said the first day of the vaccination exercise went smoothly.

       He said 40% of the 480 recipients had arrived to get their vaccinations by 10am.

       “So far so good. Now, we cater for 480 people. By next week, they will allow us to cater to about 1,500 people daily,” he said.

       Other than Equatorial Hotel, the PPV at Bukit Jawi Golf Resort has been in operation since June 16.