Despite wearing face masks is no longer mandatory outdoors, Malaysians have continued using them and are hesitant about stopping the practice.
Starting 1 May, the Covid-19 SOPs have been relaxed and face masks are required in crowded open spaces, indoors and when in public transport vehicles. Apart from that, the scanning of QR codes using the MySejahtera app for registering entry into premises is no longer mandatory.
Nonetheless, checks conducted by Bernama in several states indicated that most Malaysians chose to continue the SOP as before and were rather hesitant to stop the practice.
In Kuala Lumpur, many visitors are still wearing face masks. One visitor, Edison Yap said he found it awkward not to wear a mask in public areas.
He was spending his Labour Day holiday with his wife and child at the park and said that they all chose to continue wearing face masks as they were already used to it.
While in Selangor, checks at the farmers’ market in Section 13, Shah Alam showed most visitors were wearing face masks in public and some continued to check in at business premises by scanning the QR codes using their MySejahtera app.
Speaking to Bernama, Ahmad Fakharudin Abdul Halim said he had forgotten all about the easing of the restrictions as it had been a compulsory measure for so long. He added that wearing a mask was no longer a burden after two years of compliance.
He then said that the easing of controls would bring relief to Malaysians as it showed that the country was on the path toward recovery.
In Johor Bahru, visitors to the Larkin Sentral bus station in Johor Bahru were also wearing masks. Hasnah Ali and Mohd Yusoff Abdullah said it was important for them to wear face masks due to their age, a factor that might increase the risk of being infected by diseases.
In Kelantan, visitors to an open-air bazaar in Kota Bharu were all wearing masks as they shopped.
Mohd Zulhafiz Rosman, who was shopping for Raya, said although the government no longer required the wearing of face masks in open places, he would continue to wear them to protect himself.
In both Melaka and Penang, the public can be seen wearing face masks and business premises kept their MySejahtera QR code on display as well.
Grocery shop owner Anwar Sadat said he would continue displaying the MySejahtera QR code as a precautionary measure. “Whether customers want to scan or not, it’s up to them. I also make face masks compulsory in my shop,” he added.
What do you think about this? Would you continue to wear a face mask despite it is not mandatory? Share your thoughts!
