State exco for Tourism and Creative Economy, Yeoh Soon Hin

Great news for Penang’s trishaw peddlers and taxi drivers.

Plans are underway by the Penang state government to get them vaccinated in line with creating herd immunity among the community.

Considered among the “frontliners” and stalwarts in the tourism industry, the trishaw peddlers and taxi drivers are expected to be vaccinated by July 2021.

The move is similar to Phuket’s “sandbox” initiative, will surely give credence and confidence to travellers.

“We have compiled a list of names consisting of 300 trishaw peddlers and taxi drivers. We have made special arrangements them to  receive their Covid-19 vaccinations by July 2021.

“They are amongst the vulnerable and high risk groups, and we are also in the process of detailing a temporary one-stop centre to administer these vaccines, on top of the issuance of license, haircut, medical check up and provision of daily necessities,” said state exco for Tourism and Creative Economy, Yeoh Soon Hin in a press statement.

He also stressed that the state is steadfast in cruising the state’s tourism landscape out of the doldrums, while shoring it up for the resumption of travel activities despite normalcy remains uncertain.  

“With herd immunity imminent in Penang, we need to ensure that Penang remains at the forefront of the domestic and international markets, prevailing as the jewel in Malaysia’s tourism,” said Yeoh.