FOLLOWING the surge in Covid-19 cases in Penang in recent weeks, with 70% of cases attributed to workplace clusters, the state government will collaborate with industry players for a more targeted approach in implementing standard operating procedures (SOP) within the business community.

Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said that under this initiative, Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science and Technology (CREST) will introduce SOP from CREST member companies and a consolidated Covid-19 Management Best Practice SOP as reference with the aim of assisting small medium enterprises (SMEs) in the state to operate safely and optimally.

“Penang may be known best as home to many industrial heavyweights but the presence of SMEs is undoubtedly the backbone of the electrical and electronics industry.

“Therefore, it is critical that we ensure proper measures are put in place for continuity of our supply chain, more so as the country moves to an endemic phase,” he said in a virtual press conference on the collaboration in George Town today.

Present were state executive councillor for trade, industry and entrepreneur development Abdul Halim Hussain, deputy state secretary (management) Ahmad Rizal Mohd Hanapiah; ministry of international trade and industry Penang director  Jegan Subramaniam and CREST chief executive officer Jaffri Ibrahim.

Jaffri said CREST is pleased to play a role in formulating the consolidated Covid-19 Management Best Practice SOP and hopes that SMEs will implement these procedures to ensure business continuity.

He added that CREST will conduct education and awareness sessions to assist SMEs on proper Covid-19 control measures and to safeguard both employees and facilities.

Abdul Halim, meanwhile, said that he will head a focus group to provide advisory support to SMEs in the state to combat the spread of Covid-19.

 The group will comprise representatives from CREST and its member companies, the Penang Covid-19 immunisation focus group, the immunisation task force, MITI Penang, Invest Penang, Penang Development Corporation and the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers.

“The Covid-19 Management Best Practice SOP presented by CREST complements the SOP laid down by the National Security Council and will set a precedent for SMEs in the state to resume their business in a controlled and careful manner,” he said. – Bernama, September 6, 2021.