You Could Go To Jail Or Be Fined RM1,000 For Not Wearing A Face Mask In Public In Malaysia Soon

By Ammar Haziq  •  22 Jul 2020 in News

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Almost everyone is wearing a face mask these days since we’re living through a global pandemic. Even President Trump had to grudgingly agree to put one on. It’s often uncomfortable, but it’s necessary to curb the spread of the virus… and some say, stupidity.

However, even with data that proves it can help prevent the spread of the virus, there are those who think that they shouldn’t need to wear one and don’t even mind throwing tantrums in public when requested to do so. The government? They’re having none of that.

Health DG Dr Noor Hisham said the government is considering whether to fine or jail anyone who refuses to wear a face mask once the rule to wear face masks in public is made mandatory, as reported by The Star.

“The Health Ministry is encouraging the use of face masks, especially in public places, high-risk places or places where social distancing of one metre apart is hard to enforce,” he was quoted saying during a briefing.

If the government decides to make wearing face masks mandatory in public spaces under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act, anyone who ignores the law could either be fine RM1,000 or face jail time.

“We have currently not made it mandatory because once we make it mandatory under the Act, we would have to consider the punishment,” Dr Hisham said. He also said the government is still looking at the punishments – whether to fine or jail those who do not wear face masks once the act is made compulsory.

According to the Health Ministry’s recommendation, wearing a face mask could reduce the risk of infection by 65%, while social distancing could reduce it by 70%.

There are a total of 15 new Covid-19 infections, with 11 being local transmissions. Malaysia records a total of 8,815 Covid-19 cases, with the number of deaths remaining at 123.

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