People in Macau are no longer requested to wear a facemask outdoors, and The Macau Post Daily interviewed some of them yesterday to hear their views on the matter.
The Macau government announced the easing, which took effect yesterday, on Sunday.
‘Wearing facemask has become a habit’
Yu, a male casino employee who wore a facemask yesterday, said that he would continue to put on a facemask for at least the next two weeks. Yu was quick to add that he was not worried about COVID-19, but “just because wearing a facemask has become a habit in the several years of the pandemic”. Concerning the government’s relaxation on the wearing of facemasks, Yu said: “It’s time to take it [facemask] off.” Yu also said that according to what he saw yesterday, 80 percent of people in the street were still wearing a facemask.
‘I will remove facemask when not required to wear it anywhere’
Lei, a male retiree, said that although he was “not very” worried about the COVID-19 pandemic, he would still put on a facemask as a self-protection measure unless the government launches a new arrangement that no facemask is required both indoors and outdoors. Lei pointed out that there were just a few people not wearing a facemask [yesterday], with some not wearing it properly.
‘Too sudden and not well prepared’
Leong, who works as a clerk, said that the government’s easing of the wearing of facemasks was announced “too suddenly and not well prepared”, adding that she was worried about her daughter, who’s preparing for an enrolment interview for kindergarten next month, getting sick once people start to remove their facemasks “during the current peak of the novel coronavirus infection”. According to Leong, her whole family will continue to wear a facemask until April. Leong said she was gratified to see that so many people continued to wear a facemask yesterday.
‘It’s the same as before’
“I removed my facemask a long time ago [before the government’s announcement on Sunday]”, Chan, who is in his forties, said, adding that the adjustment was good and “flexible” for students as they can still choose to wear one when attending classes such as physical education lessons. Chan pointed out that it was not mandatory to wear a facemask outdoors in Macau before, except for when taking the bus, adding: “Apart from school arrangements, it is the same as before”, depending on residents’ self-discipline and “high awareness” of the COVID-19 pandemic prevention. Chan said that the new arrangement could lead to better communication between students and teachers.
‘A personal choice’
Though glad about the easing, Soriano, a domestic helper, said that wearing a facemask everywhere will still be a “personal choice” in an effort to protect oneself. “If you are comfortable wearing a mask, then you should continue, but if not, nobody is going to force you”.
Soriano remarked that Macau was able to survive three years of COVID-19 and wearing facemasks. “Macau has now accepted that everything is alright”, she noted, adding that the easing of measures is for the benefit of its people and to get back to having a stable economy.
Asked if she was afraid of catching COVID-19, which she had already had, the 52-year-old said that living in constant fear will not allow one to stay healthy, adding that it is important to just be open-minded and pay attention to one’s safety.
‘I am still afraid’
“I think it is alright to not have to wear a facemask all the time for now” a non-resident worker (NRW) surnamed Tolentino said. However, he was quick to add that “I am still afraid” as the novel coronavirus continues to exist. He also said that he continued to hear rumours of the COVID-19 situation getting worse.
Despite his fears, the 32-year-old said that the government easing Macau’s facemask-wearing guidelines was still a good thing, commenting on the discomfort that comes with wearing one and the challenges in speaking properly and clearly. Not needing to wear a facemask while outdoors may also benefit tourism in Macau, he said.
‘A lot better for us to move around’
Matthew a NRW, aged 26, welcomed the easing of the government’s facemask-wearing guidelines, underlining that it is “a lot better for us to be more active without a facemask on”.
The NRW remarked that as someone who is not used to wearing a facemask, the relaxation of the measures was good for him as “I can breathe a lot better”. Moreover, it enables one to see a person’s face, their smile, which, he said, Filipinos like himself liked to do, and seeing other people’s “emotions” once again, noting that it’s important for Macau as a tourist destination.
However, Matthew noted that he understood why some places continue to require them as it might be “necessary”, but he also emphasised the importance of not letting fear of COVID-19 take over to the point of “worrying too much all the time”.
People with and without facemasks on a rest in front of a kiosk in Largo do Senado yesterday. – Photo: Rui Pastorin
