WEARING face masks has been made compulsory from Aug 1 on public transport and in crowded places. It is a good move towards breaking the chain of Covid-19 transmission.
According to Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, those who fail to comply with the new rules will face a fine of up to RM1,000.
However, guidelines as to what will necessitate a fine need to be disseminated to the public and enforcement authorities as soon as possible, if not already so.
The requirement for face masks, although it is good to prevent the spread of Covid-19, has to be handled gently.
The enforcement should not be too harsh or arbitrary against people who do not wear a mask, or wear one that is not in conformity with World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.
Should we then wear disposable masks?
Disposable masks may be in line with WHO guidelines, but using them must be accompanied by proper disposal methods.
In hospitals and other health units, the masks are thrown in clinical waste bins. If we insist on using disposable masks, do we have designated waste bins for such masks in public?
Right now, disposable masks are simply discarded on the roads, sidewalks and pavements.
Studies (published in the medRxiv Depository) have shown that the new novel coronavirus can remain in the air for up to three hours post-aerosolisation.
The studies also noted that the virus can survive for up to three days on surfaces, such as plastic and stainless steel. On copper surfaces, it may last for four days and on cardboard surfaces, up to 24 hours.
Disposable masks, if not properly disposed of, may end up transmitting Covid-19.
The authorities should, therefore, focus on the disposal of disposable face masks. Just as Singapore has contained the littering habit through hefty fines, we may impose the RM1,000 fine on those caught throwing their masks on the street.
This may at least ensure the masks are disposed of properly in designated bins (which the authorities must provide as soon as possible).
Secondly, wearing of medical-grade masks. The WHO guidelines do say that we should wear medical-grade face masks only if we are working directly with patients or as healthcare workers.
The WHO states categorically that these masks should be reserved for essential healthcare staff and those who are working on the frontline of the pandemic.
Thirdly, the wearing of homemade masks and reusable face masks should be encouraged.
While these aren't as effective in stopping the virus, there is a benefit to wearing one as it can help prevent the wearer from spreading Covid-19 to others, especially if the wearer is asymptomatic. By using a cloth face mask, when out and about in crowded areas, our mouths will be covered. Less particles will be spread in the air through coughs and sneezes.
Physical distancing and regular handwashing will help, and together with the face masks, we will be able to combat the spread of Covid-19.
So, the question now is who deserves to be fined?
Any person who indiscriminately disposes of a disposable face mask, throwing it on the road, for example, must be fined.
Anyone in a crowded place, who is not physical distancing and not wearing a mask, must be fined. Only people on public transport without a mask should be fined.
Walkers and joggers in open spaces should not be fined. Otherwise, we will have people being fined indiscriminately and this will cause more mayhem in addition to the already existing Covid-19.
The writer is a research fellow at the Faculty of Law, University of Malaya, and she can be reached at gracem@um.edu.my