Groups at high risk of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) may soon be required to put o­n respiratory masks in o­ngoing efforts to contain the spread of the deadly disease.

Health Minister Chua Jui Meng said the ministry is working o­n the guidelines to decide the whos, whens and wheres.

The ruling was discussed during the cabinet meeting this morning, said the minister at a press conference in his ministry's office today.

No deadline has been fixed for the guideline to be completed, he added.