MP SPEAKS | Face mask policy must be clear, without ambiguities

MP SPEAKS | The implementation of mandatory wearing of face masks from Aug 1, 2020, has created much confusion among the public.

Even enforcement officers are confused and hence the need to revoke some summons issued by the police as announced by Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The wearing of face masks has two objectives:

Firstly, it is for protection from being infected with the SARS CoV2 virus which causes Covid-19. This is needed for healthcare workers and high-risk individuals. For effective protection, we need N95 masks and three-ply surgical masks and to a lesser extent, three-layered cloth masks.

Secondly, the wearing of face masks to lower the risk of virus transmission via reduced shedding of the virus in the air and environment, especially from asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic Covid-19 infected patients.

This is an effective public health approach to reduce viral transmission and this should be the main objective of the mandatory wearing of face masks.

Any form of face covering is effective including cloth masks, even though three-layered cloth masks or three-ply surgical masks are preferred.

In the United States, states with mask-wearing mandates saw a reduction in new Covid cases, whereas other states without some measures saw an increase in outbreaks.

The usage of masks requires a behavioural change among the community, and this change can be achieved by education and/or legislation via fines/penalty.

The current policy as announced by the National Security Council (NSC) has two main problems.

Firstly, the availability and affordability of quality face masks, especially for low-income groups. Hence, to start, I have recommended to the government to provide quality reusable cloth masks to all 5.4 million primary, secondary and preschool children. More masks can be distributed to B40 households via the Bantuan Sara Hidup database.

Secondly, the legislation is ambiguous. The areas where mandatory mask-wearing is to be enforced is unclear. Even though the NSC listed down specific areas but crowded public places are also included. The definition of a public crowded place, however, is unclear and subjected to interpretation.

According to Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the government allows the police to enforce the policy based on their discretion. This is fundamentally wrong. It will create room for abuse and corruption. It will also erode trust, which is a fundamental attribute needed for effective pandemic control.

My suggestions on the wearing of face masks are as follows:

1. Overall, I am supportive because it helps to reduce the risk of transmission and also because there is already evidence of the SARS CoV2 virus in the local community.

2. However, the implementation of the policy has to be practical and simple.

3. Any form of face-covering (to include nose and mouth) is sufficient. We can encourage the public to follow the World Health Organisation's recommendation on the wearing of three-layer reusable cloth masks or disposable three-ply surgical masks.

4. Encourage the use of face masks for everyone when they are out in public and in contact with other people.

5. The mandatory use of face masks (where failure to comply is subjected to a penalty) in selected places and by selected individuals.

Selected places where wearing face masks are mandatory as per NSC's list except for the removal of ambiguous, unclear references to public crowded places.

Individuals who must wear masks include :

- All frontline staff who are in contact with the public, including restaurant/food stall operators, receptionists, cashiers et cetera.

- All healthcare workers.

- Caregivers in old folks homes, orphanages or kindergartens.

- All teachers and students.

DR LEE BOON CHYE is Gopeng MP and PKR health spokesperson.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.