Malaysia Considering Mandatory Face Masks as New Covid-19 Clusters Emerge

KUALA LUMPUR, KOMPAS.com – As Covid-19 cases in Malaysia slowly creep up, the government is considering enforcement of mandatory face masks.

Lockdown in Malaysia was eased on June 10 and as relaxed measures on movement and businesses took place, there has been an emergence of 13 new coronavirus clusters.

The information was shared by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said on Monday.

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On July 20, Malaysia’s health authorities recorded 21 new Covid-19 cases rounding the nationwide total to 8,800 cases and 123 deaths.

Monday was the second-straight day that Covid-19 cases in Malaysia reached double digits.

Prior to that, the country had achieved relative success in maintaining single-digit new infection rates.

The number of positive cases climbed by 15 on Sunday, and by 18 two days prior.

Read also: Covid-19 Cases in Indonesia Could Reach 120,000 by Independence Day: Jusuf Kalla

The Malaysian Prime Minister shared that double-digit daily infections coupled with the emergence of new Covid-19 clusters in several states, the government is considering whether to make wearing face masks mandatory.

"The details will be announced once the relevant regulations are finalized by the government," Muhyiddin said in an address broadcast on national television.

Malaysia was among the earlier countries in the region to impose strict curbs on public activity, closing borders, barring mass movement, and ordering all but key sectors to shut operations in March as it fought to contain the spread of Covid-19.

(Writer: Joseph Sipalan | Editor: Jan Harvey) 

Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-malaysia-idUSKCN24L0Z3