ALOR STAR: It is now compulsory for all individuals to wear face masks when dealing at any immigration counter in Kedah following escalating numbers of Covid-19 cases nationwide.
In a Facebook post, the state Immigration Department said the rule has been effective since Dec 14.
"All officers and customers conducting transactions at immigration counters or offices must wear face masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19," it said.
The department also announced the temporary closure of its office at UTC Kedah for sanitation work today.
Yesterday, Malaysia recorded 20,696 new cases, a 62.2 per cent increase in epidemiological week 50 from Dec 10 to Dec 16, compared with the week before.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad had said a majority of these cases or 97 per cent are in categories one and two, while 619 cases were in categories three, four, and five.
Of the total, 20,677 involved Malaysians, while 609 others were foreigners. The Health Ministry also recorded 19 import cases, and 151 cases needing treatment in the intensive care unit.