DBKL replaces ruling compelling people wear masks at eateries, retail outlets
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has replaced a two-day-old instruction that compelled people to wear face masks when at supermarkets, grocery stores, restaurants and wet markets under its jurisdiction.
A new compliance instruction notice which was uploaded onto DBKL's Facebook page now said it merely "encouraged" people to wear face masks when at these premises.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has replaced a two-day-old instruction that compelled people to wear face masks when at supermarkets, grocery stores, restaurants and wet markets under its jurisdiction.
A new compliance instruction notice which was uploaded onto DBKL's Facebook page now said it merely "encouraged" people to wear face masks when at these premises.
"All license-holders, staff, visitors, buyers and suppliers are encouraged to wear face masks," read the new notice today.
"As such, the (previous) compliance instruction notice dated March 22, has been cancelled," read the new notice.
DBKL also encouraged staff, visitors, buyers and suppliers at such premises to use the hand sanitisers provided.
On March 22, DBKL had issued a compliance instruction notice to guide the public on how to practice social distancing during the implementation of movement control order (MCO).
The notice immediately drew flak after retail outlets and eateries barred customers who were not wearing face masks when there was already a shortage of masks on the market.
The March 22 instruction by DBKL was also not in line with the Health Ministry's advice on wearing face masks.
The ministry had said that only people showing respiratory symptoms such as cough and flu should wear a face mask.
Health Ministry director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah said face masks should be reserved for those working at the frontline to battle the Covid 19.
Malaysia went into partial lockdown on March 18 with a movement control order notice. This is expected to last until March 31 but the notice could be extended.
As of noon yesterday, Malaysia recorded 1,518 Covid-19 positive cases with 14 deaths.
