Keep your masks on on planes, says health think tank
Published on: Saturday, October 01, 2022
By:
FMT, Ellis Idris
Better safe than sorry says health body on wearing masks in aircraft. (Rawpixel pic)
PETALING JAYA: The head of a health think tank has advised airline passengers to keep their masks on when flying even though they are no longer required to do so.
Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO of the Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy, said that although most people have been immunised against Covid-19, they should be wary of other airborne communicable diseases like influenza.
ADVERTISEMENT
He said it was worth taking precautionary measures as airplanes are enclosed environments and there could be other passengers who are Covid-19 positive.
“There are many who are unable to be vaccinated or have compromised immune systems or reduced protection due to waning immunity.
“Wearing a mask protects you from getting infected and also protects others if you are Covid-19 positive. It is a low-cost prevention strategy.
“I will continue to wear masks on long haul flights during my travels,” he told FMT, acknowledging that mask-wearing is ultimately up to individual behaviour.
ADVERTISEMENT
Health minister Khairy Jamaluddin said on Wednesday that face masks are no longer required on board planes in Malaysia but passengers on international flights are subject to rules set by other countries.
People are still encouraged to keep their masks on in planes if they are high-risk, experience any Covid-19 symptoms or are travelling with high-risk individuals like children or the elderly.
ADVERTISEMENT
Khairy said the decision was taken following risk assessments and improvements to ventilation in plane cabins.
According to the ministry’s CovidNow website only 49.7% of Malaysia’s population have had their first booster shot while only 1.5% have taken the second.
Azrul said wearing masks during air travel lowers the risk of infection, loss of quality time, complications due to comorbidities, and the potential of long-term effects after contracting the virus.
Former deputy health minister Dr Lee Boon Chye said research had shown low Covid-19 transmission in planes, compared to enclosed spaces with bad ventilation.
“I think the mask requirement should be removed in stages except in very specific circumstances such as healthcare facilities,” he told FMT.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
