PEOPLE must remember that it is still important to wear face masks to help prevent the spread of Covid-19, even though the government has relaxed protocols, health experts said.

They said the government’s requirement for face masks to be worn indoors, in crowded areas and on public transport was to ensure that Covid-19 infections are controlled.

They told The Malaysian Insight that there was always the possibility of a new variant infecting people, especially students and senior citizens.

Consultant paediatrician Dr Amar Singh HSS said dropping the need to wear masks altogether would have been an “unnecessary” risk.

“I hope that Malaysians realise that crowded outdoor locations – like pasar malam, wet markets, and shops – still pose significant Covid-19 risks,” he said.

“It is best to wear your mask in these areas,” he said.

Last week, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced that it was no longer a requirement to wear masks outdoors from yesterday, but people were still encouraged to do so, to help reduce the spread of infection.

He added that masks are still required indoors and on public transport, including e-hailing vehicles.

The relaxing of restrictions came on the eve of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, with many people set to balik kampung for the first time in three years.

Meanwhile, former deputy health director-general Dr Lokman Hakim said it was appropriate that people still have to wear masks indoors.

“The pandemic is not over but we must learn to live with the virus we can’t see,” he said.

“People at risk of severe infection – like the elderly, immunocompromised and unvaccinated – should be encouraged to wear a mask at all times,” he added.

He also noted that the Omicron peak was over, evident through the decline in case numbers despite people mingling during Ramadan.

“Yet the next wave may be triggered by a new variant, so again I emphasise the importance of genomic surveillance and paying attention to samples from imported cases,” he said.

Epidemiologist Dr Malina Osman also urged people to remain cautious.

“The decision to ease restrictions was not made overnight.

“It has been made based on six months of observing behavioural patterns particularly, and pandemic management indicators,” she said.

She advised people to wear a mask whenever it feels like there may be risk of transmission.

Children at risk

Meanwhile, Amar Singh said Malaysians must move forward cautiously.

“We must constantly review the data and anticipate the impact of what is coming. For example, the Omicron sub-variants are harmful to children under 10 years old, as seen from Hong Kong and UK data.

“We must continue to protect children and vulnerable adults, and we must do this together as a community. We must not remove our mask mandate,” he said.

He added that the data supported the move to upgrade mask quality, especially for children.

“We should all be using reliable (not fake) FFP2/KF94 masks. We need to use masks in all indoor facilities, in public transport and at crowded outdoor venues,” he added.

Following Khairy’s announcement, Education Minister Mohd Radzi Md Jidin said masks would remain compulsory indoors in schools, subject to a few exceptions.

“Relaxation to the indoor mask ruling applies in certain situations such as when a person is alone, while teaching in front of the class, for individuals with special needs, individuals with respiratory problems, during sports and recreational activities and children ages five and below.

“The use of facemasks is encouraged when outdoors and in open areas in school premises or when carrying out group activities,” Radzi said. – May 2, 2022.