29 August

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is working on reducing the price of face masks to make them more affordable, said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

“Since face masks are a necessity which we use almost all the time, the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry is in talks with manufacturers and suppliers to lower the price of face masks.

“InsyaAllah, if this negotiation is successful, the price of face masks will be more affordable and this will help ease the public’s burden,” he said in a special address on the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) tonight.

On the re-opening of economic sectors, Muhyiddin said almost all sectors have been allowed to operate except a small number such as nightclubs and entertainment centres.

These, he said, were places where new norms would be a challenge to observe.

He also said foreigners were still not permitted entry to the country to prevent imported cases and further transmission of Covid-19 in the country.

“Sports activities are allowed, but without the involvement of international participants and spectators.”

He further said in line with the extension of the RMCO until Dec 31, 2020, the Covid-19 Fund managed by the National Disaster Management Agency would also be extended until then.

“Parties wishing to contribute to this fund can do so. Donations to this fund will be used to help Covid-19 victims and provide the necessities to curb this pandemic.”

Muhyiddin said although the RMCO has been extended, livelihoods of the people would not be affected as daily activities could be carried out as usual in accordance with the new norms and in compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOP).

“The important thing is we must continue to get used to wearing face masks, hand washing, always maintaining personal hygiene and avoid being in crowded places.

“I believe all this has been practiced all this time until we manage to tackle the spread of Covid-19 in our society.”

In the spirit of the 63rd National Day celebration themed Malaysia Prihatin, he called on the public to always be caring about their responsibilities to curb Covid-19 transmission.

“We are all frontliners in the fight against this epidemic.

“I believe if we can all play our part in preventing Covid-19, our country will succeed in getting rid of this outbreak more quickly.” he added.