KUCHING: Despite the usage face mask indoors made optional by the Health Ministry, it is still a good idea to carry a face mask when leaving our homes.
This was the advice of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), who urged the people to wear face mask whenever necessary to curb the spread of COVID-19 and other airborne diseases.
“The people should remember that there are still COVID-19 infections being reported around us and each of us has to be responsible in keeping the infections at bay.
“Though there are many instances where the mask mandate has been removed, we still need to be vigilant and keep a face mask on hand to be used when needed.
“I believe that our people are mature enough to understand social responsibility after having experienced more than two years of the pandemic,” MMA president Dr Koh Kar Chai said in a statement yesterday.
He said Malaysia are currently facing a high number of Influenza infections and the judicious use of face masks will help to control it.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin earlier yesterday announced that wearing a face mask indoors will be made optional.
He however said premises owners could also decide if their patrons were required to put on a face mask or make it optional for them.
He said wearing of face masks was still mandatory in all healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, clinics and nursing homes, and said it was recommended that those in high-risk groups continue to don the masks.
The wearing of face masks had been made mandatory on Aug 1, 2020, to curb the COVID-19 pandemic.
On May 1 this year, the government decided to make donning face masks optional outdoors, but still required them to be worn indoors and in public transport including e-hailing services.
