“Our lives have been affected during this period. We need to go through this crisis together and I trust that all will give full support for this move,” Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow announced in a press conference streamed live on the internet.

As of yesterday, the number of Covid-19 cases in Penang stood at 66, with the Central Seberang Perai district recording the most cases at 22.

Chow said the Penang government has ordered six million face masks for frontliners and others who are at risk of infection.

He said thermometers and hand sanitisers have also been distributed by the state.

Meanwhile, Chow said state health authorities are monitoring closely for any report of Covid-19 infection from a Hindu temple gathering on March 8 here which attracted over 10,000 people.

“Until now, there have been no positive cases to date,” he added.

There has been intense debate on the fate of participants of the Theppa Thirunal or floating chariot festival at the Singamugha Kaliamman Temple in Teluk Bahang, which was held a few days after the Sri Petaling tabligh gathering where a big number of Covid-19 patients have been reported to date.

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