KEDAH will increase enforcement and closely monitor standard operating procedure (SOP) compliance among passengers of Langkawi ferry services to curb the spread of Covid-19, said Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.

He said the matter needs to be given serious attention because there were reports of non-compliance among ferry passengers, including removing their face masks while they were using the service.

“Yesterday, we discussed this matter at the state executive council (exco) meeting and we are aware that Langkawi has now become the choice of tourists. Therefore, I have instructed transportation and tourism excos to play a more serious role.

“The Ministry of Transport has issued SOP for public transport services, so we need to enforce it. The problem arises when there is no enforcement to monitor SOP compliance in the ferries,” he told reporters after a gathering with civil servants here today.

Meanwhile, Sanusi said the State Health Department through its data found there was an increase in Covid-19 cases in Kedah, after inter-state travel was allowed.

“There (are) no issues with inter-state travel, the problem now is when some people do not comply with the SOP, that poses a risk to others, especially among high-risk groups,” he added. – Bernama, January 7, 2021.