Penang to distribute 40,000 free COVID-19 self-test kits - Chow

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government will distribute 40,000 COVID-19 self-test kits free of charge to residents of the state in phases, starting next week.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, said apart from being distributed in the state and parliamentary constituencies as well as to Senators, the self-test kits would also be distributed to district offices and the State Secretary's office, for the use of the people of Penang.

"As promised, the state government will distribute 40,000 units of COVID-19 self-test kits to those in need for free, starting next week.

"Meanwhile, the Minister of Health (Khairy Jamaluddin) has accepted my invitation to visit Penang this Saturday, and focus will be given to medical equipment needs of hospitals and medical centres in the state, in the face of the increase in daily cases now," he said in a statement today.

He said apart from the special briefing session involving the Penang Health Department (JKNPP) and the state COVID-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF), a visit to the Penang Hospital would also be held to review the current situation.

Chow said he had also sent an official letter to Khairy yesterday regarding the need for a list of medical equipment and specialities that needed special attention from the Ministry of Health (MOH).

Meanwhile, he said a total of 2,481 individuals had attended the walk-in vaccination under the state-level COVID-19 National Immunisation Programme (pick), which was carried out at 10 vaccination centres (PPV) yesterday.

"Those who are eligible are very welcome to attend the walk-in vaccination to enable the entire adult population in the state to receive the vaccine shot and further achieve overall herd immunity for Penang," he said.

A total of 10 PPVs in Penang are offering walk-in vaccination; being the SPICE Convention Centre PPV, Sungai Nibong Festival Site PPV, Balik Pulau Sports Complex PPV, Perda Convention Centre PPV, Millennium Hall PPV, SP Arena PPV, Seberang Jaya Expo Site PPV, Vangohh Eminent PPV, Dewan Sungai Bakap PPV and Dewan Serbaguna Jawi PPV.

Chow had previously reportedly stated several conditions for those who wanted to attend the walk-in vaccination, including producing a MyKad for the purpose of verification and for those who had not registered or had not received an appointment through the MySejahtera application.

-- BERNAMA