GEORGE TOWN: Penang has warned that stern disciplinary action, including termination, can be taken against state civil servants who refuse vaccinated without valid reasons.
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State Local Government and Housing Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the state government viewed the matter very seriously.
He said both the Penang Island (MBPP) and the Seberang Prai City Councils (MBSP) have a total 6,987 employees still in service.
“As of yesterday, only 22 MBPP employees, out of the total 3,028 employees and 18 MBSP employees, out of the total 3,959 employees refused to be vaccinated or have yet to register for vaccination.
“The Public Services Department (PSD) has announced that from Nov 1, it is mandatory for all civil servants to receive the Covid-19 vaccination.
“So, for those who refuse vaccination or those who have yet to register for it without any valid reason, stern disciplinary action, including possible termination, can be taken against them,” he said today.
Jagdeep said while the daily Covid-19 numbers have dropped in the state, the people should continue to comply with the standard operating procedures (SOP) to fight the pandemic.
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“Our war against Covid-19 is far from over although we are easing into the endemic phase, and with restrictions lifted for those who have been fully vaccinated,” he added.
Penang recorded 276 Covid-19 cases yesterday, bringing the cumulative number of cases to 145,441 since the pandemic in March last year, with a total 1,610 deaths.
Earlier, Jagdeep handed out 500 Deepavali goodie bags to staff and patients of the Penang Hospital.
“The medical frontliners at the Penang Hospital have been working tirelessly for almost two years now and even on Deepavali tomorrow, many of them will still be on duty in the fight against Covid-19.
“We are thankful for their contributions and urge everyone to continue to comply with the SOPs to bring down Covid-19 cases and relieve some of the burden off the medical frontliners,” he added.-NST