KUALA LUMPUR: Senior Minister (security cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today clarified that face masks are compulsory for all in public places, including those who wear niqab (face covering) or face shields.
He explained that it was an offence under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 or Act 342 if a person wearing niqab does not have a face mask underneath, if they are in a public place.
Ismail Sabri said this in a press conference this evening when asked to comment on whether it was compulsory for niqab wearers to also wear a face mask underneath the niqab.
There has been an ongoing debate on social media over the last couple of days on the issue after it was alleged that niqab-wearing local celebrity Noor Neelofa Mohd Noor did not wear a face mask underneath her niqab when she attended court.
Seremban police later informed they were investigating the claim.