KUALA LUMPUR: Unlike its neighbour Singapore, the face mask mandate in Malaysia at most public places will remain.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, however, said face masks were not mandatory for certain situations such as while performing sports and recreational activities.
"For example, if we want take a walk with our family members at our residential area and others (to perform recreational activities), then there is no need to wear face mask.
"We never insisted on this (for the people to wear face mask when performing sports and recreational activities).
"Perhaps, this issue arose from some misunderstanding," he told reporters during a press conference at Parliament here today.
The exemption of wearing the face mask is also accorded to residents of their own houses or in hotel rooms or accommodations which do not involve interactions with other individuals who are not members of the family.
"So, if we are outside the Parliament building and that there is no one next to us, then it is okay (not to wear the face mask)," he said.
People, he said, are also allowed to remove their face masks when eating and drinking, while participating in stage performances and while driving their own vehicle.
"The face mask mandate is however applicable for e-hailing (drivers and passengers)," he said.
Face masks can also be removed for children aged 5 and below and those with special needs such as cerebral palsy and autism as they may experience sensory overload if asked to wear a face mask.
People with breathing difficulties are also allowed to remove their face mask on the condition that they must produce their medical health report.