For a little over two years, many of us living alongside the COVID-19 pandemic have grown accustomed to a number of major lifestyle changes, in order to best curb the transmission of the highly virulent disease. Among those most typically advocated by governments across the world include social distancing, as well as the minimising of human contact and of course, the prevalent use of face masks.
In fact, many of these habitual changes have become codified in law, as is the case in Malaysia with the enforcement of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) throughout the MCO periods.
No more fines to be issued for not wearing face masks
However on September 7th, 2022, the Malaysian Ministry of Health has officially announced that the wearing of face masks will no longer be mandatory both indoors and outdoors, barring a few circumstances such as when in public transport or healthcare facilities. This comes after neighbouring Singapore had also lifted their mask mandate in August.
In line with this, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali has officially announced that no more fines will be issued to those who are found to not be wearing any face masks when in public.
“The government will not impose the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) and will not take action against anyone.
“People are familiar with and understand public health and we are close to getting back to our normal lives, even social and economic activities have also been held and group gatherings have been allowed.” he said, according to local news agency BERNAMA.
The wearing of masks is now subject to the discretion of private business owners.
But there are some places where masks are still a must
At this point, the wearing of face masks is only mandatory under 3 circumstances, namely:
- If one is found to be COVID-19 positive
- If one is in public transport (trains, buses, taxis, private e-hailing cars, planes)
- If one is visiting or working in healthcare facilities (hospitals, clinics, nursing homes)
Additionally, one is highly recommended to wear a mask in the following situations:
- If one is in a crowded space such as in houses of worship, indoor concert venues, or markets
- If one exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 such as fever, coughing, flu
- If one is pregnant
- If one has chronic illnesses or is immunocompromised
- The elderly
- Young children
In relation to the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, Noor Azmi says that they are currently now awaiting the declaration from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for Malaysia to move into the endemic phase.
“We previously entered the transition to endemic phase because there were still reported cases of Covid-19 and there are things we still have to take care of and control,”
Malaysia moved into what was termed as the endemic transition phase on April 1st, 2022.
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