FACE masks are no longer compulsory for customers in supermarkets and restaurants in the federal territory, City Hall (DBKL) said today.

The use of protective masks is now encouraged while two days ago it was mandatory.

“All licensees, employees, visitors, customers and suppliers are encouraged to: 1) Wear face masks, 2) Prepare and use hand sanitisers,” said DBKL stated  Facebook page today. 

The notice, signed by the Kuala Lumpur mayor, said the new order dated March 24 cancels the earlier one on March 22 that required everyone, including customers, to wear face masks upon entering supermarkets and eateries.

Social distancing of one metre and use of hand sanitisers are still necessary until the end of the movement control order on March 31, it said.

Those in charge of the various shops and services open during lockdown are responsible for controlling the number of people on their premises, such as supermarkets, grocery stores, restaurants, public and private markets, and to ensure social distancing, the new notice added.

Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday said face masks were not compulsory during the movement control order except under specific circumstances as stated in Health Ministry guidelines.

The mask is only required for those who are ill, working in a hospital or caring for a sick person.

There are no rules allowing supermarkets to compel shoppers to wear face masks before they enter the premises.

Police, soldiers and municipal council officers also cannot impose such a rule.

“They can advise as safety precautions, but they cannot stop the customers (without face masks) from entering the supermarkets,” Ismail said.

Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has also said that a healthy person need not wear a face mask though he must maintain social distancing during the Covid-19 outbreak.

The World Health Organisation’s advice is to only wear a mask when one has respiratory infection symptoms, or  is caring Covid-19 patients or working in a hospital environment. – March 24, 2020.