KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry (MoH) has announced that the wearing of face masks onboard aircraft is no longer compulsory effective from today.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said this decision was made using a risk-based approach and after taking into consideration that aircraft technology had improved and Covid-19 cases in Malaysia had been brought under better control.
“(This is due to) good ventilation in cabins, the use of high-efficiency particulate absorbing filters to remove airborne pollutants, forward seating arrangements, and frequency of aircraft disinfection schedule,” he said in a statement today.
However, wearing face masks is encouraged for individuals with symptoms like fever, cough and flu. This also applies to high-risk individuals like senior citizens, people with chronic diseases, those with low immunity, and pregnant women.
He said people travelling with high-risk individuals like senior citizens and children are also encouraged to continue wearing face masks onboard.
Khairy said the relaxation of face mask wearing in aircraft was in line with health recommendations from countries in the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.
However, he said that the need to wear face masks on aircraft is still subject to conditions set by the countries travellers are visiting.
The government made wearing face masks compulsory beginning August 1, 2020 but on September 7 this year, MoH announced it was no longer mandatory indoors and in public areas. – Bernama, September 28, 2022
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