Thousands of motorists caught in gridlock following roadblocks near Penang Bridge

GEORGE TOWN: Thousands of motorists were caught in a gridlock here today, following roadblocks mounted by police enforcing the movement control order (MCO).

Island commuters who only need to get from George Town to the southern parts of the island are advised to avoid using Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway.

The roadblocks just 300m from Penang Bridge-Bayan Lepas junction were meant to monitor motorists' movement during the MCO to stem the spread of Covid-19.

A research organisation worker at Batu Maung told The Star that he was stuck in the traffic jam for almost two hours.

"Normally, it would only take me 30 minutes to arrive at my workplace.

"The roadblock was from Tesco Egate to the junction to either mainland or Bayan Lepas," he said, adding that he only reached his office at 10.40am.

When contacted George Town OCPD Asst Comm Soffian Santong said commuters who want to avoid the traffic snarl can use Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah as an alternative road to get to their destination.