GEORGE TOWN: The Pulau Mutiara wholesale market in Gat Lebuh Macallum here will be closed from Saturday (July 3) until further notice due to the detection of a Covid-19 case.

       Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi said according to figures provided by the Health Ministry, so far only one Covid-19 case was detected at the market.

       “We are still waiting for the latest figure as some of the traders just did their swab tests on Saturday morning.

       “I have also submitted the names of 170 traders and their workers in the market to undergo screening at the Penang government’s mass Covid-19 screening programme at City Stadium on Monday (July 5).

       “We hope that the public can be patient and not share fake news which will cause panic on social media.

       “There will be sufficient supplies for the people in the state,” he told reporters when met at the market on Saturday.

       Gooi also urged the public to always follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) to contain the virus.

       “All SOPs must be strictly followed.

       "We have sanitised the market thoroughly on Wednesday (June 30) night,” he said.

       There are 145 units in the wholesale market and over 30 stalls at the wet market next to it.

       Meanwhile, several traders in the wholesale market were seen loading their stock on lorries to be sent to their customers before the market was ordered to close.