Malaysia's updated SOPs: Use of face masks no longer mandatory on public transport, effective 5 July 2023

Other updates include the shortening of the COVID-19 isolation period from seven days to five days from the onset of the first symptoms, and extending the declaration of Malaysia as an "infectious endemic area".

Malaysia's Ministry of Health (KKM) has reviewed and updated its standard operating procedures (SOPs) based on its assessment of the current situation of the COVID-19 infection in the country.

This comes following a statement made by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on 5 May 2023, which declared that the status of COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency of international concern.

While Malaysia had made some relaxations to its SOPs during the Transition Phase of the pandemic, which began on 1 April 2022, KKM shared that it has continued to implement various policies and activities to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection in the community.

In that vein, the new SOPs to take note of, which take effect on 5 July 2023, are as follows:

1. The use of face masks will no longer be mandatory in public transport (except airplanes) and in health facilities. However, the use of a face mask is still required for the following:

• Positive cases of COVID-19; and
• When in a health facility that follows infection control and prevention practices when dealing with or handling patients.

In a media statement on 29 June 2023 (Thursday), Minister of Health Dr. Zaliha Binti Mustafa said the use of face masks is highly encouraged for high-risk individuals such as the elderly, individuals with chronic diseases, individuals with low immunity, or pregnant mothers, and especially when in crowded places, poorly-ventilated areas. Use also continues to be encouraged on public transportation services such as buses, trains, airplanes, taxis including e-hailing services, employee buses/vans, and school buses/vans. 

2. The isolation period for confirmed cases of COVID-19 will be shortened from seven days to five days from the onset of the first symptoms.

This change is based on studies that state that the infectivity of COVID-19 cases is high in the first five days from the onset of symptoms, with a high viral load during that period, KKM said.

3. The status of "local areas of infection" in Malaysia, which will expire on 30 June 2023, has been extended for another six months to 31 December 2023.

According to KKM, while Malaysia's COVID-19 situation has improved and healthcare facilities are "not burdened" by it, the extension of this measure is to enable the enforcement of some provisions in the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Regulations (Measures Within Locally Infected Areas) under the National Recovery Plan 2022.

At the same time, the Ministry highlighted the need to extend Malaysia's declaration as an "infectious endemic area", citing the risk of new variants and subvariants of the virus emerging in Malaysia; as well as the added risk of increased cases with large gatherings expected for state elections and Hari Raya celebrations, as an example.

The current COVID-19 situation in Malaysia

Over the last five weeks, the number of new cases of COVID-19 has decreased by 53.5%, from 5,801 cases to 2,698 cases. Additionally, the number of deaths from the disease has also dropped 35.3%, from 17 cases to 11 cases. Regarding hospital capacity, the number of COVID-19 patients admitted into public hospitals and the use of beds in COVID-19 facilities has decreased, while the percentage of beds filled in the intensive care units remained stable at 6%, the Ministry shared.

Additionally, as of 27 June 2023, a total of 16,337,744 Malaysian residents have received the first booster dose, while 2.5% (825,275) have received the second booster dose.

"The Ministry of Health has committed and will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and the reported variant to take immediate and appropriate action when necessary. It would also like to advise the public to continue to practice good self-control by ensuring personal hygiene."

It also urged people to take greater individual responsibility to protect not only themselves, but the entire community, especially the high-risk groups.

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