Face masks encouraged in schools and public, but not compulsory, says Zaliha

Face masks encouraged in schools and public, but not compulsory, says Zaliha

The minister says there is no need to panic as the number of Covid-19 cases is on the decline, despite the emergence of sub-variants.

Dr Zaliha Mustafa talking to health ministry staff at the town hall session to discuss the health white paper in Kuching today. (Bernama pic)
KUCHING:
The health ministry still encourages people to wear face masks in public places or if they have symptoms of Covid-19.

Health minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said so far no new guidelines have been issued despite the emergence of new Omicron subvariants.

“Based on current statistics, with the number of cases actually decreasing, we still encourage everyone to wear face masks. However, it is not mandatory.

“We don’t need to panic even though the cases are related to the Omicron subvariants at level 1 and level 2.

“Therefore, we are still implementing the same SOP, encouraging the public and children in school to wear face masks,” she said after attending the Sarawak zone town hall session on the government’s proposed health white paper at the Sarawak General Hospital.

Sarawak deputy premier Sim Kui Hian and deputy health minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni also attended the event.

Zaliha said the ministry would continue to monitor the number of new Covid-19 cases in Malaysia from time to time before making any decisions.

The World Health Organization has elevated XBB.1.16 as a new variant of interest.

The new strain was first detected in January and has since been found in more than 30 countries.

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