THE Government, especially the Health Ministry (MOH), must ramp up public communication to continue educating the public on the benefits of public masking even in view of the possible lifting of mask mandates in Malaysia, said Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii.
Dr Yii was responding to the move by Bukit Aman to retract an April 20 circular stating that fines would no longer be issued to those not wearing masks in public which Bukit Aman managing director Zaini Jass said was a “technical error” and was immediately retracted.
“Even though this was a U-turn the sign is that it is pointing towards a likelihood that such mask mandates will be lifted especially for outdoors,” he commented.
“However, if such a decision is made it must be first and foremost made and announced by MOH followed by a coordinated inter-ministry effort to educate and come out with clear advisory on the importance and benefits of masking even without a mandate.”
Dr Yii said that this could include an advisory for different groups or communities that should continue wearing masks outdoors especially vulnerable groups or those in close contact with vulnerable groups.
This would include those with compromised immunity or those living with someone who is immunocompromised.
In such cases, it would be a good idea to continue wearing a mask and maintaining social distance around strangers especially in indoor areas with poor ventilation, Dr Yii opined.
He also said that at the end of the day, every decision on whether to relax the restrictions on COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) even in endemicity must be based on data and science.
“Based on current knowledge, data now shows that outdoors and in open ventilated areas the likelihood of the disease spreading is much lower compared to when you are indoors or is a less ventilated space,” Dr Yii said.
“In that sense, if we are outdoors in a non-congested area, the risk is lower and it is somewhat safer not to put on a mask.”
Dr Yii went on to note that data has also indicated that over-relaxed COVID-19 restrictions especially in other countries may cause a vertical surge in the number of cases that can still overwhelm the healthcare system, resulting in a diminished quality of care for all patients.
“One of the reason Malaysia does not see a vertical surge of cases even in view of Omicron, is due to our more conservative SOPs including compulsory masking,” he opined.
While mask mandates in the country might be relaxed after the Hari Raya celebration, Dr Yii stressed that this does not mean that we must put down our guards.
“I still encourage everyone, if possible, to put on a mask especially in congested and crowded areas and especially in less well-ventilated areas.
“However, be fore such a decision is announced the Government must communicate it properly and set forth a clear advisory for certain groups who are highly encouraged to continue masking even when they are outdoors.
“We do not want to see an uncontrollable vertical surge … We cannot just assume that Omicron is mild as it also has the risk of overwhelming our healthcare system if not properly handled.” – April 22, 2022
