Covid-19: No change in SOP, masks still encouraged

 

The Health Ministry still encourages people to wear face masks in public places or if they have Covid-19 symptoms.

So far no new guidelines have been issued, despite the emergence of new Omicron subvariants, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said.

"Based on current statistics where cases are actually decreasing, we encourage everyone to wear face masks. However, it is not mandatory.

"We don't need to panic the people with the existing cases, even though these cases are related to the Omicron subvariant at Level 1 and Level 2.

“Therefore, we are still implementing the same standard operating procedures (SOP), encouraging the public and children in school to wear face masks, " Zaliha said.

She said this at a press conference yesterday, after attending the Sarawak State Zone White Paper Town Hall session at the Sarawak General Hospital.

It was also attended by Sarawak Deputy Premier Sim Kui Hian and Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni.

Zaliha said her ministry would continue to monitor the development of the new Covid-19 cases in Malaysia from time to time before making any decisions.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has elevated XBB.1.16 as a new variant of interest.

The new strain was first detected in January and has since been found in more than 30 countries.

- Bernama