Mask mandate to roll out in phases, starting with public transport
CORONAVIRUS | The mandatory face mask rule will be implemented in stages, eventually requiring the public to wear one when they step out of their homes.
Ahead of its Aug 1 implementation date, Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said today that the government aimed to provide three-layer fabric face masks to the underprivileged.
Speaking during a question and answer session with the media, he said a list...
CORONAVIRUS | The mandatory face mask rule will be implemented in stages, eventually requiring the public to wear one when they step out of their homes.
Ahead of its Aug 1 implementation date, Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said today that the government aimed to provide three-layer fabric face masks to the underprivileged.
Speaking during a question and answer session with the media, he said a list of “crowded public places” where masks are required will be announced soon.
The rule will begin with public transport and airplane flights, which already require passengers to wear face masks as part of their standard operating procedure (SOP).
“We are giving a period of one month so that we can look into the implementation and also access to a mask. The poor and needy must be given a mask as well.
“If everyone has access to a mask, then maybe after the recovery movement control order (MCO) then certainly we will enforce (a rule where) once you step out of the house, you need to wear a mask,” he said.
Asked if low income or B40 families will be supplied face masks to enable them to comply with the rule, Noor Hisham shared that a plan was in the works.
“We are allowing one month for the government to look into the fabric mask that is actually recommended by the World Health Organisation - the three-layer fabric mask.
“This is so you don’t need to replace the mask every now and then, because it is costly. So if it is a fabric mask and if each individual has a fabric mask, you can wash it and you can wear it again.
“So we are looking into the production of the fabric mask so we can supply (it),” he answered.
Starting next month, those caught without a face mask in places where one is required can be penalised under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.
Noor Hisham (above) also shared that the Health and Education ministries have discussed the possibility of including public health modules in the public school syllabus.
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