BUTTERWORTH: Penang might find it tough to cope with the economic aftermath of Covid-19 if it is hit by a second wave of the pandemic.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said a second wave of infection will only slow the economy down which had begun picking-up up during the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) period.
He expressed worry that the state might not be able to recover from the adverse impact of the pandemic's second wave on its economy.
"To avoid that, everyone must adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and not take things lightly.
"The economy is showing positive signs of recovery but if another wave occurs in our country, we might not be able to stand up again since we have yet to recover from the previous outbreak," he said in a press conference after officiating Taman Robina Eco Park here today.
The 2.69 hectares park received RM1.46 million facelift last October to boost the local tourism industry and will also serve as a recreational and leisure spot for locals.
Chow said the local tourism sector was still in the recovery phase especially with several spots in the Penang turning into heavily visited areas during weekends.
"Hotels at Tanjung Bungah and Batu Ferringhi areas are offering attractive promotions for the tourists.
"At Bukit Bendera, it recorded 8,000 tourists last week, mirroring the number of visitors before Covid-19 and this is an overwhelming response as the management only expected a few hundreds of them to come," he added.
He hoped that domestic tourists could be a catalyst to boost the local economy even though international tourists are not allowed to travel to the country yet.
