Following Singapore, Hun Sen believes that Cambodia can let the people decide whether to wear masks when outdoors, and he will discuss with the cabinet before making a final decision. Malaysia is expected to make a relevant announcement tomorrow.
(Phnom Penh/Kuala Lumpur comprehensive news) After opening their borders one following another, some Southeast Asian countries have begun to discuss epidemic prevention measures to exempt the mandatory wearing of masks. Cambodia is expected to follow Singapore in announcing the cancellation of the requirement to wear masks outdoors, and Malaysia is expected to make a relevant announcement tomorrow.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen revealed his intention to cancel the requirement to wear masks outdoors when he attended the event yesterday morning. “Some countries have lifted the mask-wearing rule, and we can do that too,” he said.
Hun Sen said he would discuss with cabinet ministers before making a final decision. But he personally believes that the government can let the people decide whether to wear masks when outdoors, but in closed places, such as buildings and places with poor ventilation, people still must wear masks and observe social safety distance.
Hun Sen said that not wearing masks can save Cambodia more than 100,000 yuan in expenses every day. “At least 1 million people in Cambodia wear masks every day, and we estimate that at least 100,000 yuan is spent on masks every day.”
According to Cambodian media reports, Hun Sen had talks with cabinet ministers last night and an announcement is expected soon.
Kelly: Government will announce further easing on Wednesday
In addition to Cambodia, Malaysia has recently begun to discuss the possibility of exempting from wearing masks. Malaysia’s Health Minister Kelly revealed yesterday that his ministry had referred proposals to the prime minister for further easing of anti-epidemic measures, and the government is expected to make an official announcement on Wednesday.
Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri has previously revealed that the Ministry of Health is exploring three issues, including whether to still wear masks and use the MySejahtera app, and whether airport arrivals and returnees are required to undergo nucleic acid testing.
When the coronavirus outbreak broke out two years ago, requiring people to wear masks when going out was one of the first anti-epidemic measures introduced by countries. Compared with European and American countries, the Asian region was able to better control the epidemic in the early stage of the epidemic. In addition to effective tracking and isolation, the general wearing of masks by the public is also regarded as an important factor.
Today, with countries proposing to manage the transition of Covid-19 into a local epidemic, various epidemic prevention measures have been lifted one by one, and taking off the mask is an important symbol of returning to “normal life”.
Singapore is one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to relax mask-related regulations. Since March 29, Singaporeans can choose whether to wear masks outdoors, but the requirement to wear masks indoors remains unchanged.
However, due to the fluctuating COVID-19 epidemic, many countries are still cautious regarding waiving masks.
Thailand is the first Southeast Asian country to partially open its borders. It took the lead in waiving quarantine rules in July last year, allowing tourists from Phuket to enter without quarantine. However, although Thailand has frequently reported that the government is considering exempting the mandatory wearing of masks, it has not been implemented so far.
Thailand has recently faced the impact of the Omikojon epidemic, with daily new confirmed cases reaching new highs. The Thai government has therefore decided to maintain the mask-wearing rule and announced that the timetable for the transition of the coronavirus to a local epidemic will be extended to June 1 for re-evaluation.
CDC website: When visiting Myanmar, you can choose whether to wear a mask outdoors
At present, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, etc. still require people to wear masks outdoors and indoors. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, visitors to Myanmar can choose whether to wear a mask outdoors.
Even Hun Sen, who supports loosening restrictions, emphasized that if the coronavirus epidemic rebounds, it is not ruled out that the mandatory wearing of masks will not be ruled out.
Malaysia’s Kelly emphasized that Malaysia is regarding to announce further relaxation of epidemic prevention measures, but will ensure that its standard operating procedures are safe and rigorous to prevent the epidemic from rebounding.
