Some ignore face mask rule, say public transport users

© Provided by New Straits Times
Passengers wearing face masks in a Light Rail Transit train in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. PIC BY AIZUDDIN SAAD

KUALA LUMPUR: Most public transport users are adhering to Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) but there are some who remain ignorant of the rules in place.

When interviewed, passengers shared similar concerns as those expressed by transport operators over public adherence to the SOP, following the recent spike in Covid-19 cases in the country.

They said the wearing of face masks in public, as enforced by the government since Aug 1, was not followed by some people.

Aqilah Nurzaman, 27, who has been using public transport for years now, said some passengers also did not wear their face masks properly.

“It is quite worrying, considering the increase in the number of cases. There is much less physical distancing during rush hour and sometimes you can see one or two persons not wearing their face masks.

“But so far today (yesterday), I haven’t seen anyone here without a face mask yet,” she told the New Straits Times.

Another commuter, L. Saravanan, 22, a student who is working as a telco service promoter, said physical distancing was practised only when security personnel were around.

Alarmed with the rise in fresh Covid-19 cases, Saravanan said he would not mind going through another Movement Control Order period, which was first implemented in March.

“Not everyone follows the SOP, which means the rest of us are exposed to the virus. We should probably stay at home again to stop the spread of the virus.”

A Prasarana Malaysia Bhd spokesman said the company was concerned about the rule-breakers they could pose a danger to others.

“SOP compliance among commuters using Prasarana’s services is good, but there are those who take the rules for granted by not wearing face masks or not wearing them properly.

“We hope that all users will be mindful of the SOP so that we can break the chain of infection.”

On Thursday, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said stricter health screenings would be conducted at all public transport terminals, stations and service counters.

He said preventive measures, including cleaning and disinfection exercises, would also be conducted.

The announcement came after the number of new cases hit triple digits again following the Sabah state election last month.

Checks by the NST revealed that frontliners at transportation hubs were strict with those who did not adhere to the SOP.

An auxiliary policeman stationed at KL Sentral, Zulkeple Marajil, saw a middle-aged man at the main entrance of the building with a face mask strapped on his neck. He wasted no time to remind the man to wear his face mask properly.

Another auxiliary policemen could be heard asking visitors for proof of entry registration.

“That is what we mean by stricter SOP. Of course, we have been doing all of these for months now but, as we all know, there are still those who do not want to adhere to the SOP,” said Zulkeple.

“Sometimes people tell me to mind my own business when I tell them to wear their face masks. But I’m just doing my job here and I want all of us to be safe,” he added.

Yesterday, the Health Ministry reported a record high number of daily new Covid-19 cases. There were 287 new cases, mostly reported in Kedah (129), Sabah (113) and Selangor (31).

There were also new cases recorded in Perak, Terengganu, Kelantan, Negri Sembilan, Labuan, Johor, Kuala Lumpur as well as Pahang, and 20 of the cases involved individuals who recently travelled to Sabah.

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