The Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS) wants to be a part of the national vaccination plan for Covid-19 and will soon propose the idea to relevant authorities to make use of convention centres as Covid-19 vaccination venues.
Its president, Francis Teo, said: “We would like to be part of the solution to get 70 per cent of the population vaccinated to reach the herd immunity threshold and for the recovery of the economy.
“Convention centres as vaccination centres are ideal as it has the space to be (segregated) into waiting areas, vaccination zones and many venues also have ample parking spaces for the public. It would also help relieve the load on public healthcare facilities. The more vaccination centres established, the faster would be the process towards recovery,” he stated.
Mala Dorasamy, director of marketing and sales at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), agreed.
She shared: “We, as well as other industry members, are keen to work with the government to repurpose unused spaces to function as vaccination sites or storage spaces for vaccines, essential equipment and medical supplies. It could reduce the logistical burden on hospitals and healthcare services while helping the centres reduce overhead costs. MITEC also has sufficient space to offer a drive-through option, if required.”
Alan Pryor, general manager, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, is also supportive of this move.
“This initiative demonstrates the value convention centres bring to the city and its people, beyond its role as a venue provider for events. The Centre is prepared, if called upon, to be a vaccination venue and urge all other venue operators to aid this cause as we band together to battle Covid-19,” Pryor said.
The National Vaccination Plan is scheduled to start in February. Last month, Malaysia’s science, technology and innovation minister, Khairy Jamaluddin said the government has allocated RM2 billion (US$507 million) for the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines.
