KUCHING: It would be a welcome move if the government makes it mandatory to wear face masks in public places, said Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) chairman Datuk Peter Minos.
He said if this new rule was enforced, local authorities would be able to catch and fine individuals going against it.
Earlier, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had said that the government was considering making the usage of face masks compulsory in public places, with the decision to be announced once the relevant rules had been finalised.
“MPKS has been telling, urging, and advising all those operating at our MPKS Riyal wet market and also Asajaya and Sadong Jaya markets to wear face masks, and our public health and enforcement sections are very strict on this,” said Minos when contacted on yesterday.
“The same goes to visitors and buyers. It is routine to us,” he added.
He emphasised that the usage of face masks, social distancing, and the taking of temperature and contact information were vital things to be done by all in efforts to combat Covid-19.
“Everyone must follow and abide when and where necessary. We at the local councils are very serious about this because we must support the government in getting rid of the dreaded virus,” he said.
Minos said that next week, MPKS would be once again checking businesses for compliance with the rules and standard operating procedures (SOPs), just in case some had gone complacent or were not complying.
“We will check the shops, cafes, restaurants, coffee shops, trading places, hawkers, and so on – informing them that recovery movement control order (RMCO) rules must be fully observed,” he said.
Minos expressed concern over the recent Covid-19 infections in Kuching and Samarahan, stressing that everyone must not put down their guard.
“We do not want a second wave.”
Meanwhile, Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang said that the council was already enforcing the wearing of face masks in all its markets, hawker centres, coffee shops, and food outlets.
