Effective Jan 1, 2023, all eatery operators in Shah Alam will have to wear face masks when preparing food and dealing with customers.
The new requirement from the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) encompasses all food and beverage operators and their workers, including hawkers at open-air markets and night markets.
Mayor Dr Nor Fuad Abdul Hamid said the face masks were meant to prevent them from coughing or sneezing onto and contaminating food and drinks served to customers.
He said the mandatory face mask ruling was for the well-being of customers and to ensure the practice of good hygiene.
“Our council’s Licensing Department will include the requirement for a face mask to be worn as part of their licensing requirements, which will be effective from Jan 1, 2023.
“But we will create awareness about this requirement and enforce it in stages until it becomes habitual,” he said at the council’s full board meeting yesterday.
Nor Fuad said although the country was heading towards Covid-19 endemicity, cases were still prevalent and the current cold weather could contribute to influenza-like illnesses, thus the need for a proactive measure to use a face mask.
“On Sept 14, at the Selangor executive council meeting, it was decided as a requirement that people in food and beverage businesses use a face mask to ensure clean and safe preparation of food.
“The Selangor government had made the decision on the advice of Health Ministry,” he added.
Nor Fuad said the city council’s health inspectors would go to the ground to ensure that eatery operators and their workers wore face masks while preparing ingredients, cooking food and packing cooked or ready-to-eat food before they are served or sold to customers.
“As a proactive move, our Licensing Department has issued notices to food establishments, food trucks in commercial areas, traders at open air markets and hawkers.
“We will also have a collaborative effort between MBSA’s Enforcement Department and the Health Department to implement and get all food and beverage establishments to adhere to this new requirement,” he said.
Nor Fuad said the city council would not hesitate to take stern action against anyone who did not comply with the face mask ruling, adding that offenders would be fined RM300.
