KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has no intention to remove the mandatory face mask requirements in public places anytime soon, as part of living under a new norm, says Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang.

       The Deputy Health Minister said that a study had been conducted by the ministry between Oct 5 and 11, related to the observation of standard operating procedures (SOP).

       The study found that 95% of the respondents are still observing the SOP, and agreed it should be maintained.

       This includes the wearing of face masks and the practice and enforcement of social distancing in public areas.

       "So, these two methods should be practiced as a new norm by all individuals. As such, even if Malaysia moves to the endemic stage, this practice must be continued.

       “Additionally, with the emergence of the Omicron variant, we found that countries like the United Kingdom have also once again informed their people on the increased usage of face masks and physical distancing," he said in reply to a question from Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi (PN-Bersatu) during Question Time.

       Mohamaddin had asked the Health Ministry whether it will ease Covid-19 standard operating procedures, including wearing face masks and physical distancing, considering several European countries no longer imposed mandatory facemask rules.

       The deputy minister said that the proper use of face masks has been considered as one of the effective measures to stop the spread of Covid-19.

       "The effectiveness of using face masks has been certified by authoritative international bodies such as the World Health Organisation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States," he said.