KUALA LUMPUR (April 27): Wearing of a mask outdoors and physical distancing will no longer be mandatory from Sunday (May 1) in line with the relaxation of Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs), Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said on Wednesday.
Mask-wearing will still be mandatory indoors, including on public transport and e-hailing rides.
“Wearing face masks, especially in buildings and public transportation, is still important to protect yourself as well as the people around us, especially those at high risk such as the elderly, children and immunocompromised individuals,” he said.
However, the minister said face masks may be removed indoors if an individual is exercising, alone in a space, eating or drinking, as well as giving a speech or performance.
Although mask-wearing will no longer be mandatory outdoors, Khairy said, the Ministry of Health still heavily encourages people to wear masks when in crowded areas, around high-risk individuals such as the elderly and children, and when participating in activities with high-risk individuals.
“Wearing a mask in open-air areas will be optional but is heavily encouraged to reduce the transmission of Covid-19 infections,” he said.