By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Sept 11: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng announced that his council would meet tomorrow (Monday) to decide whether to enforce wearing of face masks at hawker centres under the council’s jurisdiction.
He stated this today when met by reporters at the Mayor Song Swee Guan Park (formerly Tabuan Jaya Recreational Park) following the launch of the MBKS Electrical and Electronic Waste Collection (BEE) campaign in Tabuan Jaya here.
Wee said it is important to prevent the spread of not only Covid-19 but other ailments such as flu or sore throats.
“I believe most people have grown accustomed to wearing face masks as well,” he said.
Wee said that face masks are more affordable these days, so requiring people working in hawker centres to wear them should not be a problem.
Despite the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) recent announcement that wearing face masks is now optional, whether indoors or outdoors, he added that his council staff would continue to wear face masks.
Furthermore, he advised people coming to MBKS to wear face masks for everyone’s safety.
“Wearing a face mask is to protect ourselves and others. Although it is clearly stated that premises owners have the right to impose masking, they can put up a notice to make those entering their premises wear a face mask.
“To protect our staff and the public, I would like to advise those who come to MBKS to wear face masks,” he asserted.
In addition, he pointed out that MBKS will stock its office with face masks for those who don’t have one.
“If they do not use a face mask, we will have a spare one for them. It is, of course, up to individuals, but my advice is that we should continue to use face masks,” he noted.
Wee believed people could continue wearing face masks for a few more months before discontinuing the practice.
“We shall see whether cases reduce, and we decide whether to wear or not,” he stated. — DayakDaily
