Face Masks mandatory on public transport and crowded areas from 1 August

Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has announced that face masks will be made mandatory on public transport and crowded places starting next month. Those that don’t comply will be slapped with a compound.

According to the Minister, the recent increase in new daily COVID-19 infections has been worrying and the Ministry of Health has also reported declining adherence to SOP in public areas. The Prime Minister had recently reminded Malaysians not to be complacent so that the government will not introduce new lockdown measures. During his address to the nation on Monday, he added that the government was planning to make face masks compulsory in public areas.

Ismail Sabri Yaakob also said that home-made masks are also permitted as long as it follows the specifications from the WHO. He said that disposable masks should be replaced every three hours but with self-made face masks, it can be used once a day.

Although the new ruling will be enforced on 1st August, he hopes all Malaysians will continue to wear a face mask and to ensure social distancing especially with the upcoming Hari Raya Aidiladha celebrations.

According to Bernama’s report, those that don’t comply with the face mask directive can be slapped with a RM1,000 compound notice under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988. The decision was made during a special ministerial meeting on the movement control order.

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