Many continue to wear masks outdoors though rules relaxed

 

Many people out enjoying their Labour Day holiday continued to wear face masks although they are no longer compulsory in open spaces. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Although the wearing of face masks is no longer required outside buildings and in open spaces from today, many Malaysians have continued using them and are hesitant about stopping the practice.

Under new Covid-19 rules, face masks are required at crowded open spaces, indoors and when in public transport vehicles.

Health minister Khairy Jamaluddin has reminded the people that masks are still recommended in crowded open areas. “Be considerate,” he said in a tweet today. He said the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions would only be successful through community solidarity and individual responsibility.”

Checks in several states indicated that most Malaysians chose to continue wearing face masks as before and were rather hesitant to stop the practice.

Many visitors to KLCC Park in Kuala Lumpur were still wearing masks today. One visitor, Edison Yap, 34, said he found it awkward not to wear a mask in public areas.

He was spending his Labour Day holiday with his wife and child at the park and said that they all chose to continue wearing face masks as they were already used to it.

At the farmers’ market in Section 13, Shah Alam, most visitors were wearing face masks in public and some continued to check-in at business premises by scanning the QR codes using their MySejahtera app.

Ahmad Fakharudin Abdul Halim, 26, said he had forgotten all about the easing of the restrictions as it had been a compulsory measure for so long, adding that wearing a mask was no longer a burden after two years of compliance.

He said the easing of controls would bring relief to Malaysians as it showed that the country was on the path towards recovery.

Visitors to Larkin Sentral bus station in Johor Bahru were also wearing masks. Hasnah Ali, 74, and Mohd Yusoff Abdullah, 75, said it was important for them to wear face masks due to their age, a factor that might increase the risk of being infected by diseases.

Visitors to an open-air bazaar in Kota Bharu were all wearing masks as they shopped.

Mohd Zulhafiz Rosman, 31, who was busy shopping for Raya, said although the government no longer required the wearing of face masks in open places, he would continue to wear it to protect himself.

In Penang, not only were the public wearing face masks, but business premises kept their MySejahtera QR code on display as well.

Grocery shop owner Anwar Sadat, 42, said he would continue displaying the MySejahtera QR code as a precautionary measure. “Whether customers want to scan or not, it’s up to them. I also make face masks compulsory in my shop,” he added.

In Kota Kinabalu, visitors at recreational areas and weekend attractions like Gaya Street were still using their face masks.

Entry into shopping malls went smoothly as visitors did not need to scan although thermometers and MySejahtera QR code displays were still set up outside.

A visitor, Romalus Wong, 45, said wearing a face mask had become a habit after being made compulsory for two years. He said he decided to continue the practice as Sabah was still faced with Covid-19 infections.

Asiah Adli, 30, who was at the Taman Awam Teluk Likas recreational area, said: “I have become so used to wearing a face mask that it feels strange without it now even though it is no longer required outdoors.” - FMT