Ismail Sabri: Not compulsory to wear face mask

PUTRAJAYA: Using a face mask is not compulsory and business outlets should not impose the condition on patrons, says Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

“It is not against the law if one does not wear a face mask. Yes, it is encouraged but it is not compulsory.

“It is wrong to bar a person without a mask from entering. I hope business outlets don’t make their own ruling and contradict the law,” he said in his daily briefing.

Some malls in the country have compelled customers to wear a face mask before allowing them to enter.

Ismail Sabri said alternatively, these outlets could sell face masks at the entrance to those without one.“At the moment, we are encouraging people to wear masks, but there is currently nothing in the law that compels the people to wear them,” he said.

He also reported that the multi-agency task force had made 41,451 checks nationwide including at wet markets, supermarkets, factories and banking premises.

The task force also checked land, sea and air transport terminals, private vehicles, public transport, places of worship, recreational facilities and construction sites.

The task force will check and carry out enforcement against those who violate the standard operating procedure (SOP) of the conditional movement control order (MCO).

The conditional MCO, effective May 4, allows most industries to operate but with strict SOP which includes social distancing. - FMT