GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) revenue collection counters at level three in Komtar will be closed on Friday (Aug 27) for sanitization purposes after five staff members tested positive for Covid-19.

       Mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang said only the self-service kiosks will be open as usual.

       “We are scheduled to reopen on Monday (Aug 30) depending on the situation.

       “Staff who are in close contact with the Covid--19 patients are required to undergo Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests.

       “We encourage the public to conduct payments online at https://ebayar.penang.gov.my to avoid congestion in public places,” he said at a press conference at Chowrasta Market on Friday (Aug 27).

       He added that a total of 141 MBPP staff members tested positive for the virus since the outbreak in March last year.

       “I urge the public to be responsible citizens and adhere strictly to the standard operating procedures (SOPs). MBPP will take stern action against those who flout the SOPs.

       “We will not give advice anymore. Instead, we will issue compound notices or close premises which do not follow the SOPs,” he said.