KUALA LUMPUR: The adoption of Covid-19 preventive measures by the Malaysian public, such as the voluntary use of face masks when outdoors shows that the rakyat know how to live with Covid-19, says Khairy Jamaluddin.

The Health Minister said members of the public continue to put on their masks outdoors, even though it is no longer mandatory from May 1, which will help the country successfully transition to endemicity.

"We can see how well the Malaysian public have behaved during the transition to the endemic phase.

"They also know that they have to isolate themselves if they have Covid-19 symptoms or when they are infected.

"Malaysians have the capability to make this transition to endemicity a success without the need to enforce laws or issue compounds.

"This is in comparison to other countries where the attitude towards Covid-19 prevention measures appear more lax," said Khairy to reporters after launching a World Asthma Day event here on Thursday (May 19).

Khairy said that Malaysia's high vaccination rate had also ensured a lower hospitalisation rate and the number of cases with serious symptoms.

"Vaccination helped us to avoid severe Covid-19. We can see that our hospitals are not overwhelmed, which means that we can also focus on other cases.

"This is a success for the Malaysian public," said Khairy.

Covid-19 infections saw a slight increase in the past week, but it has improved in the last two days, with the national infectivity rate currently down to an RT level of 0.91.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/05/19/malaysians-have-learnt-how-to-live-with-covid-19-says-kj