Domestic sec-gen trade: Nearly 46,000 retail workers receive Covid-19 vaccines under RiVAC program in four states, 13,500 fully vaccinated since July 26 | Malaysia

BATU KAWAN, August 21 – A total of 45,960 retail workers have been vaccinated against Covid-19 as part of the Retail Industry Vaccination Program (RiVAC) conducted in four states since July 26.

The Secretary General of the Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP), Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad, said that out of the total, 13,500 workers in the retail sector received both doses.

“Nine Industry Vaccination Centers (PPVINs) under RiVAC are currently operating, two each in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor and one each in Putrajaya and Melaka while in Penang there are three PPVINs.

“We expect more workers in this sector to be vaccinated soon,” he told reporters after visiting the Design Village PPVIN here today.

Hasnol Zam Zam said the ministry plans to open more PPVIN RiVAC in the near future and discussions are currently underway with the state governments of Johor, Pahang and Kedah.

“According to the original target, more than 80% of all workers in the retail sector will receive the vaccine by October, but with the addition of a few more RiVAC PPVINs, the process could be faster.

“We strongly encourage them to come forward (to get vaccinated), especially now that many consumers are choosing to enter business premises with fully vaccinated workers,” he said.

KPDNHEP is also encouraging employers in the retail and distribution sectors to speed up the process of vaccinating their employees to allow their businesses to return to normal operations, he said.

“We are ready to provide support and assistance if needed. For example, KPDNHEP helped provide 10 buses to employers in Pahang to get retail workers to get vaccinated in Kuala Lumpur, ”he said. – Bernama