JOHOR BARU: People here – especially frequent travellers between Malaysia and Singapore – aren’t about to lose their masks anytime soon, even if the government says there’s no need to wear them as Malaysia transitions to the endemic phase of Covid-19.

       Doris Lim, 27, said that she will continue wearing a mask despite Singapore making the use of masks optional when outdoors since March 29.

       The Malaysian research coordinator has been working in Singapore for almost three years and since the borders reopened, has been travelling between Singapore and Johor once a week to meet up with her family.

       “I feel weird if I don’t wear a mask when I walk outside my house. Most people in Singapore are also still keeping their masks on even though they are now allowed to not wear them outdoors.

       “I think it may be a little too soon for Malaysia to also do away with the mandatory mask ruling as we still see many cases of Covid-19 every day,” she said.

       Lim added that she is worried about the risks of going unmasked in public.

       “At times, there would be a large crowd at the Customs checkpoints (on either side) and this makes it more risky for me to get infected if I do not wear a mask,” she said.

       Technician Mohd Fauzan Hafizi Rosli, 33, who commutes between his home in Johor Baru and his workplace in Singapore, said he too will keep his mask on.

       “I do not want to take the risk of getting infected by the disease as this will make it very difficult for me to travel back and forth.

       “I will continue to wear my mask even if Malaysia makes wearing masks not compulsory,” he said.

       He added that he never fails to put his mask on when outside in either Malaysia or Singapore.

       Johor Indian Muslim Entrepreneur Association secretary Hussein Ibrahim said Malaysia should stick to making it mandatory for the public to wear face masks for the time being.

       “I think it is still too soon for us to allow people to take their masks off as we still see many people being infected with Covid-19 daily.

       “The government should at least continue making it mandatory until the end of this year,” he added.