Wearing a face mask reduces Covid-19 transmission by decreasing the shedding of virus in the air and environment, especially from people who don’t display symptoms.
Ismail Sabri lists exemptions to the face mask rule and clarifies that face masks are only mandatory in public transport and “crowded public places” like markets, tourist spots, and cinemas.
The government should make it easy for people to follow the law by making the mask rule as clear as possible, listing specific venues that require the use of face coverings and exemptions of certain situations or people.
The RM1,000 fine accounts for 83% of the monthly minimum wage in Malaysia, unlike the face mask fine in Victoria, Australia, that comprises 6.7% of the monthly minimum wage.
Ismail Sabri also says the Education Ministry is currently considering whether to close schools after a primary school pupil in Sabah got infected with Covid-19.