KUCHING: Although the wearing face masks has not been made compulsory, Sarawakians have been advised to always use them whenever they are in crowded areas.
State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas it was necessary to wear face masks especially in public areas such as shopping malls, markets, eateries and grocery shops.
“However, due to the situation in Sarawak; for instance in the rural areas the population is not big, so we have not decided to make the usage of masks compulsory.
“But we advise the people to always wear them when they are in public places,” he said during his Covid-19 daily press conference at the old State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building on Tuesday (July 21).
He said premises owners have the right to not allow customers to enter when people don’t use face mask.
“The other day when I went to buy bread at BDC they had a notice which read wear face mask or no entry. These premises owners have the right to do so,” he said.
On the matter of whether reusable masks can be used, Uggah said SDMC had been briefed by medical experts that it was alright.
“There are various types of reusable masks. We will introduce what masks are reusable and which can be used.
“This means if we buy a reusable mask, it can be used for a month or so, but it must be washed and changed,” he said.
He said the SDMC was still studying reusable masks because if people were to buy masks everyday they will spend a lot of money.
“So we try to make sure they are affordable especially for the lower income earners,” he said.
