Health Minister: Mask Mandates Won’t Return For Flights, Indoor Areas

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 3 – The government does not plan to reintroduce blanket mask mandates for flights or indoor public areas, Dr Zaliha Mustafa said today, despite public fears of a potential rise in Covid-19 infections.

The health minister said requirements to wear a face mask would continue to apply only to health care facilities like hospitals and clinics, as well as public transport, “except for flights because they have good ventilation systems”.

“For the rest, we encourage – we strongly encourage – people to continue wearing face coverings, especially in narrow and congested spaces,” Dr Zaliha told a press conference after a visit to Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) in Sepang today that was limited to select media for coverage.