However, Khairy said the health ministry still encouraged people to keep their masks on in planes if they are high-risk, experience any Covid-19 symptoms, or travelling with high-risk individuals like children or the elderly.

He said this decision was made following risk assessments and improvements to ventilation in plane cabins.

On Sept 7, the minister announced that face masks were no longer mandatory in most indoor settings, though owners of premises still had the right to decide if their customers need to wear one.

Khairy said planes also had high-efficiency particulate absorbing (HEPA) filters installed and underwent more frequent disinfection now.

He said the decision was made in view of the low burden of Covid-19 cases on the public healthcare system currently.

“This relaxation is also in line with health recommendations from the European Union, UK, US, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.”

However, he said the requirement to don face masks in planes was subject to the rules set by other countries.

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