Malaysia Issues Mandatory Regulations For Masking Masks In Public Places As Of 1 August

JAKARTA - The Malaysian government requires its citizens and foreigners to wear masks in public places and on public transportation starting Saturday 1 August.

Reported by Antara, Friday, July 24, Malaysian Defense Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri said the decision was made after seeing an increase in cases of corona virus infection in addition to people's compliance with the decreasing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for controlling COVID-19.

"The level of compliance with SOPs among the general public is decreasing, including in public transportation, including the use of masks and social distancing," he said at a press conference in Putrajaya, Thursday, July 23.

He said SOPs in public places were ignored by groups of people so the government made a decision to make masks mandatory starting August 1 in crowded public places.

On this occasion, he also reviewed the compliance with SOPs in food places which are now seen as if they do not heed the SOPs set by the government.

"There are places to eat that do not heed SOPs such as table setting even though the government has made concessions," he said.

Because of that, he said, the government decided to take firm action against these places including visitors who did not comply with the SOP with fines, courts and shop closures.