THE Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (MEDAC) is currently in talks with the National Security Council (MKN) to put micro entrepreneurs and informal business operators in the priority list for the vaccination programme.
Its minister Dato Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said majority of these business operators are in the service sectors that directly deal with the public, and as such they too should be recognised as front liners.
“In order for the national immunisation programme to be truly effective, MKN must also acknowledge sectors – other than health, security and defence – with similarly high level of exposure to COVID-19 spread,” Wan Junaidi said.
According to him, this also includes the front liners working in the economic sector, such as those working at the counters in banks, the customer service staff as well as petty traders selling food and beverages to the public.
“These groups are the ones who are closely dealing with the public, which makes them highly exposed to the spread of the virus. They too should be given priority to get the vaccination. We hope MKN can assist us in this,” he added.
Wan Junaidi said both he and MEDAC Secretary-General Datuk Suriani Datuk Ahmad have written to the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (MOSTI) to arrange for vaccinations for the micro and informal business operators.
“MEDAC top management will discuss this matter with representatives from COVID-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) this Friday on how we can help these groups to get vaccinated,” he added. – June 24, 2021
