Johor premise owners can set own face mask protocol: exco

JOHOR BARU – Premise owners in Johor have the discretion to decide the face mask-wearing protocol in their venues.

State Health and Unity Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon, however, said the state government strongly encouraged the public to continue to wear face masks, especially when in crowded places, such as night markets, stadiums, shopping malls and houses of worship.

He said individuals with symptoms, high risk and low immunity, as well as pregnant mothers, should continue to wear the face mask when in public places.

“The state government will continue to assist the Health Ministry in monitoring the Covid-19 situation,  as well as ensuring the readiness of health services,” he said in a statement today.

Ling said the public’s awareness of the importance of practising preventive measures contributed to the drop in Covid-19 cases and stabilised the health service system owing to low admission rate to hospitals and intensive care units (ICU).

He said the usage of non-critical Covid-19 beds in the state was 21.6% with 117 patients, while only 3% of them, or six patients, were using ventilators, as of last Wednesday.

The usage for ICU beds was 32%, involving seven patients, he added. – Bernama, September 9, 2022