GEORGE TOWN: The removal of the mask mandate in indoor areas will definitely benefit the tourism industry, said Yeoh Soon Hin.
The Penang tourism and creative industry committee chairman welcomed the Health Minister's announcement on Wednesday (Sept 7) that the wearing of face masks will no longer be mandatory at indoor places.
"In fact, many European countries and the United States had removed their mask mandate a long time ago. Malaysia is considered one of the latest countries which announced that wearing masks indoors is optional," said Yeoh.
"It is a bit redundant as many Malaysians who went overseas were maskless and had to put on their masks at indoor areas when they came home due to the standard operating procedures," he added.
On Wednesday, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced that the wearing of face masks will no longer be mandatory at indoor places.
Khairy said mask wearing will only be compulsory in public transportation like buses, trains, flights, taxis, e-hailing vehicles, as well as at hospitals and medical institutions.
Individuals who are symptomatic are also required to put on masks.
Khairy said the removal would take effect immediately.
Malaysia made it mandatory for the public to wear face masks on August 1, 2020.
On May 1 this year, the country removed the requirement for people to wear masks in outdoor settings.
