Malaysia makes masks optional indoors, but premise owners can enforce own rules

MALAYSIA will no longer require masks to be worn in most indoor spaces, as the country’s Covid-19 situation has improved, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin at a press conference on Wednesday (Sep 7).

With immediate effect, wearing a mask indoors will be optional, he said. But mask wearing remains mandatory in all healthcare facilities – including hospital, clinics and nursing homes – as well as public transport, including e-hailing vehicles.

“It’s still mandatory for Covid positive patients to wear a face mask (at) all times. For the high-risk group, such as the elderly and chronic disease patients, they are encouraged to keep their mask on,” he added.

The move comes shortly after Singapore announced its own lifting of mask requirements for most indoor spaces – except healthcare facilities and public transport – from Aug 29.

Malaysia has moved towards treating Covid-19 as endemic since April 1 this year, removing most curbs such as the outdoor mask requirement, MySejahtera tracking app registration, social distancing, and testing for incoming vaccinated travellers.

Khairy noted that premise owners have the right to either enforce masking indoors or make it optional. “The patrons must adhere if the premise owners request indoor mask wearing, and they have the right to refuse entry,” he added.

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He said that the decision was made after taking into consideration the improved Covid-19 situation in Malaysia, with declining infections and an increasing vaccination rate.

“Nevertheless, the ministry will continue to monitor the Covid-19 situation in Malaysia and abroad, and to ensure that our healthcare system is at an optimal level,” he said.

As at Sep 7, over 84 per cent of Malaysia’s population have received a second dose of Covid-19 vaccination since the country’s vaccination programme started in February 2021.

The daily average of Covid-19 confirmed cases has dropped to 2,067, according to the latest figures from CovidNow, the Malaysian government’s website for Covid-19 data.

Daily infections have previously stayed above five figures for stretches of 2021, and hit a high of 33,209 cases on March 4, 2022. Since Covid-19 hit Malaysia’s shores in February 2020, the country has recorded close to 4.8 million positive cases.