KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians should continue to wear face masks as long as the Covid-19 infection rate remains high, Alliance for Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said.
Lee, referring to a New Straits Times article quoting health experts discussing the possibility of dropping the mask mandate soon following a similar move by Singapore, said any move must be based on data and records.
"Whether we are going to remove the mandate is a matter that can be determined only after monitoring our Covid-19 situation, its infection and mortality rates and guided by data.
"And, of course, we have to be fully vaccinated. We must also do whatever is necessary to strengthen our immune system.
"We have to be physically active but avoid activities and habits that compromise our ability to fight infections."
He said country's Covid-19 death rate per million was three times that of Singapore's and measures to prepare for a new wave should be done instead.
"The question is whether it is time to further relax this rule, as Singapore now proposes to do.
"The answer, to my mind, is 'no, not yet'. Nobody is safe until everybody is safe.
"We have to be prepared for a possible new wave, as stated by Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, especially as our borders are now opening."
Lee said face-mask wearing was the first line of defence for Malaysians.
"Granted, the danger is much less than it was a year ago. It has been said that patients warded in intensive care units have declined from a peak of 1,502 last year to 68 now.
"This is good news. Much of the credit must go to the health authorities and the implementation of standard operating procedures.
"The public must also be credited for the high rate of compliance. They have been following most measures, especially that of wearing masks."
On Aug 23, Dr Noor Hisham said Malaysia would need more time before deciding to go the way of Singapore and scrap the mask mandate in most indoor settings.
He said the country was not prepared to remove curbs, often regarded as the front line in the defence against the airborne SARS-CoV-2.
Outdoor usage of masks stopped being mandatory in Malaysia on May 1.
The Health Ministry, however, encourages people to wear face masks outdoors, especially in crowded spaces.