CNA – Malaysia’s Health Ministry announced that face masks will no longer be required to be worn on public transport and in healthcare facilities from next Wednesday onwards.
This after the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 5 declared that COVID-19 is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said face masks will only be mandatory for individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 as well as health workers following infection control practices when handling patients.
Healthcare facilities include hospitals, clinics and nursing homes while public transport covers e-hailing services, flights, taxis, buses and trains.
Although no longer compulsory, she said that the use of face masks is still highly encouraged while on public transport. High-risk individuals such as the elderly and individuals with chronic diseases are also encouraged to wear face masks, especially in crowded places, she added.
Meanwhile, the isolation period for COVID-19 patients will be shortened from seven to five days at the onset of the first symptoms.
“This is based on studies that say that the infectivity of COVID-19 cases is high in the first five days from the onset of symptoms with a high viral load during that period,” said Dr Zaliha in a statement.
The Health Minister added that the status of Malaysia as an infected area under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 has been extended to December 31 due to the risk that new COVID-19 variants and subvariants may emerge.
“In addition, large gatherings that are expected to occur during the Hari Raya Haji celebrations and state elections are likely to risk contributing to an increase in cases,” said Dr Zaliha, adding that this could burden the government’s health service system if control and prevention measures are not fully implemented.
Malaysia’s state elections will have to be held no later than August 21, according to local media.
According to Dr Zaliha, the number of new COVID-19 cases over the last five weeks fell by 53.5 per cent, from 5,801 cases to 2,698 cases. COVID-19 deaths in the same period have also seen a decrease of 35.3 per cent, from 17 cases to 11 cases.
Meanwhile, there has also been a decline in COVID-19 patient admissions to public hospitals and the filling of beds in COVID-19 facilities over the past two weeks, she said. The percentage of beds occupied in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) remained stable at six per cent.
Dr Zaliha said as of June 27, 50 per cent of Malaysians have received their first booster doses and only 2.5 per cent have taken their second.
“The Ministry of Health will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and also the reported variant in order to take immediate and appropriate action when necessary,” she added.
“People need to take greater individual responsibility to protect not only themselves but the entire community, especially the high-risk groups.”
