While mask-wearing will be optional in outdoor settings come Sunday, the public are highly encouraged to keep them on for crowded situations and if they are unwell, say public health experts.They said masks could reduce the expulsion and transmission of Covid-19 droplets and should be worn in crowded outdoor areas like bazaars, stadiums and night markets.
Public health expert Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia said people should wear masks when joining a large and crowded congregation outdoors where the health and vaccination status of the people are unknown.
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“Individuals with symptoms such as fever, cough and runny nose are also encouraged to wear masks.
“People with symptoms should always wear masks as Covid-19 might mimic coughs and colds, so they may unknowingly transmit the virus to others,” she said.
Prof Sharifa said masking outdoors also provides personal protection for high-risk individuals such as the elderly, the unvaccinated, the immunocompromised and those living with comorbidities.
“Senior citizens and those with underlying health conditions such as diabetes or obesity should also wear masks outdoors due to their weakened immune system and the high risk of Covid-19 infections.
“Wearing masks outdoors can protect them should they be in close contact with infected persons with mild symptoms or who are asymptomatic.
“Other individuals can choose not to wear masks outdoors especially in well-ventilated, open air outdoor settings that are less crowded.”
Covid-19 cases were still manageable in countries like Singapore that have removed the mask mandate outdoors.
She said the city-state has a high health literacy and vaccination coverage as well as a lower population density than Malaysia.
She also said the government must pay attention to the children’s vaccination programme as the rate is still quite low.
Prof Dr Moy Foong Ming of Universiti Malaya’s Social and Preventive Medicine Department said while wearing masks outdoors has become a personal choice, the decision depends on the risks.
“Outdoor settings that are not crowded or where physical distancing is possible pose low risks.
“However, if the outdoor area is crowded like markets and bazaars, the risk of infection may be higher.
“Under these circumstances, I would suggest masks be worn.”
Additionally, she said if the individual is from the older age or high-risk group, his risk of getting infected will be even higher, adding that he is encouraged to put on his mask outdoors.
She said Singapore is doing well in terms of Covid-19 with its caseload and hospitalisation rates declining.“They have kept the last measure, that is the mask mandate indoors.”
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Prof Moy said it is the people’s choice whether to mask up or not outdoors, as there are no more legal consequences.
However, she said they should be accountable for their actions.
“As reporting positive for Covid-19 is done by the patients themselves, I hope they will report diligently and go into isolation.
“They should not pretend or hide the fact that they are Covid-19 positive as it will cause a surge in new cases and increase the hospitalisation rate,” she said.
Prof Moy added that while the final measure – relaxing the indoor mask mandate – should not be done too soon.
“We need to observe the consequences of the current relaxations, especially on the hospitalisation and death rates.
“We should also monitor the situation in other countries, especially whether new variants are getting milder or more lethal,” she added.
She said with the Hari Raya celebrations, people should weigh the risks and be responsible.
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Volunteers For Community Engagement and Empowerment For Covid-19 chairman Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said that people could feel comfortable not masking up outdoors as the airflow does a good job of minimising infection risks compared to shared indoor spaces.
He added that being outdoors provides another layer of protection because of the ventilation.
“It should be okay if people want to walk around with their family members while on holiday without masks on,” he said.
However, he said certain outdoor situations could call for masking up such as when in crowded areas without physical distancing.
“High risk individuals and those who are unwell should consider masking up outdoors.”
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