TANGKAK: All vaccine dispensing centres (PPV) in the country will be operating seven days a week instead of five, says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

       The Prime Minister said this was in line with the government’s effort to increase vaccination rates to meet the target of the National Recovery Plan, he said.

       “The government has decided that all PPV will be operating seven days a week with the operating hours extended, ” he said after visiting PPV Dewan Muafakat Johor Gambir here yesterday.

       Muhyiddin also announced that the government would be increasing goodwill payments to health volunteers.

       He said that prior to this, the government had allocated RM147mil through the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme for payments at a rate of RM50 per day to volunteers.

       “I had directed the Finance Ministry to study the payment rate so we can increase the amount and widen the number of recipients as soon as possible.

       “I’d like to announce that the government will increase payments from RM50 to RM100 per day to volunteers on duty for more than 12 hours starting this month, ” he added.

       He also said the payments would be widened to health volunteers not only at PPV but also at low-risk Covid-19 Quarantine and Treatment Centres.

       Muhyiddin added that some 19, 000 volunteers were expected to receive the payments with the additional financial allocation amounting to RM180mil.

       He said this means the total allocation from the government to health volunteers would be RM327mil.

       “The increase is in recognition of the services and contributions of health volunteers who work hard to ensure that Malaysians can receive vaccinations in an orderly, fast and safe manner.

       “The move also proves the seriousness of the government in boosting vaccination rates across the country, which continue to show an encouraging increase from day to day, ” he added.

       Muhyiddin said more Malaysians are getting protected from Covid-19 with these vaccinations, adding that the country will be receiving around 16 million doses by July and August.

       “This will increase the number of vaccine recipients from almost 250, 000 a day to 400, 000 a day based on the vaccine delivery, ” he said.