Ever since it was announced that wearing face masks will be made mandatory in public places starting 1st August, there has been much confusion about where exactly these public places are.
Health Director-General Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has recently clarified that these public places include locations where social distancing cannot be practised, reported The Star.
“If you are walking alone, there is no need to wear a face mask,” he said at a media engagement session today (29 July).
“If you are in public and the place is crowded and social distancing cannot be created, the use of face masks is mandatory.”
Dr Noor Hisham added that the government had initially planned to make face masks mandatory once an individual steps out of the house, but the decision was altered to cater to those who cannot afford masks.
“However, this can only be implemented if the poor and needy have sufficient supply of masks,” he said.
“So now we are looking into how we can supply them with fabric masks now that the World Health Organisation has said that it is safe to use the fabric type of face masks.”
Once the wearing of masks is made mandatory, if an individual is caught without a mask, the authorities can impose a fine of RM1,000.
Whether you are in a crowded space or not, it is always advisable to keep your masks on wherever you are in public places. This step is crucial in making sure the virus doesn’t spread among the community. Do your part, Malaysians!
Also read: Dr Noor Hisham Expresses Disappointment In Large Crowd That Gathered At Duta Court Complex
