MOH looking into use of face shields for school children - Ismail Sabri

The government is looking into the use of face shields for school children rather than face masks, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.

Ismail Sabri said the matter had been brought up to the Health Ministry (MOH) taking into consideration families who could not afford to buy disposable face masks.

"With face shield you only need to buy it once and it can be washed or cleaned and be used for up to four or five months.

"We also requested MOH to conduct a study on the use of fabric face masks which can be sewn personally, is washable and need not be changed daily," he told the media on developments concerning the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) in Parliament here today.

He said apart from that, the MOH was also urged to consider if it was alright for those wearing the purdah not to wear a face mask, and should this be approved, it will be announced later.

The wearing of face mask is not compulsory for those who are in school, but it is highly encouraged, more so, since the government gazetted its mandatory use from August 1, especially when on public transport and at congested areas.

Meanwhile, commenting on inter-state travel ban to curb the spread of the virus from Sivagangga PUI cluster, Ismail Sabri said the government has not decided on its implementation.

Currently only the administrative Targeted Enhanced Movement Control Order (TEMCO) is being imposed if there are COVID-19 cases in a certain locality.

As of yesterday the Sivagangga cluster has infected 45 individuals and has spread to three states, namely Kedah, Perlis and Penang.

-- BERNAMA