GEORGETOWN: Penang Police have stressed that large-scale New Year celebrations such as in public fields and in any open area are strictly prohibited.
North East District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Sofian Santong said, only small-scale new year celebrations in closed places and physical distancing can be controlled are allowed to be carried out.
“Based on the latest directive from the National Security Council (MKN) during this period, large-scale new year celebrations in the open are prohibited. The police hope that the public will abide by this directive so that the safety of all parties is guaranteed as there are Omicron variants detected in the state, "he said in a press conference at the Penang Police Contingent Headquarters (IPK), here today.
According to him, the state police will also conduct an ‘omnipresence’ operation involving all departments starting on New Year's Eve to ensure that the instructions and standard operating procedures (SOP) are complied with by all parties.
"A total of 146 officers and 821 members will be deployed during this operation to ensure public safety," he said.
Meanwhile, Sofian said the police expected the traffic flow to Penang to increase to 40 percent starting tomorrow until this weekend.
"We expect congestion in several districts such as the North East, Southwest and Seberang Perai districts. Areas of tourist locations such as Batu Ferringhi as well as food premises in downtown Georgetown will also be crowded with more tourists this weekend, ”he said.
