by BERNAMA / pic by BERNAMA

GEORGE TOWN – All trials and cases involving Penang Remand Prison inmates have been postponed until further notice following the death of an inmate who was tested positive for COVID-19.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (picture) said he was informed that the state’s Prisons Department had written to courts asking for all trials and cases involving those inmates to be postponed.

Nevertheless, he said the situation at the Penang Remand Prison is still under control and that immediate action had also been taken to curb the spread of the disease.

“I was informed that all inmates at the prison will be required to undergo COVID-19 screening with the priority to be given to the primary contacts (of the positive inmate). Screenings would also be carried out on all Penang Prisons Department staff,” he said in a statement after chairing the special briefing at the state executive council meeting here today.

Also present were Penang Health Department director Dr Asmayani Khalib, Penang Police chief Datuk Sahabudin Abd Manan and Penang Prisons Department director Roslan Mohamed.

Meanwhile, Chow said the experience of other states in handling the pandemic would be used as the guidance for Penang to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

“All quarters are in a full state of preparedness to face any possibility every day, around the clock,” he said.

He also expressed hope that the people of Penang will continue complying with the standard operating procedures and to remain united in facing the current challenges.

Yesterday, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah confirmed that an 85-year-old inmate died when receiving treatment at the Penang Hospital. He was tested positive for COVID-19.