MOH: No Fist Bumps Or Handshakes Allowed While Battling COVID-19
The MOH suggests a complete no-touch greeting.
By May Vin Ang — 08 Sep 2020, 06:23 PM
The public has been advised to not bump fists with others, a popular gesture of greeting these days, to curb the spread of COVID-19
According to New Straits Times, Deputy Health Minister I Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali said this form of physical contact between individuals was not encouraged by the Ministry of Health (MOH).
"Touching includes handshaking and fist bumping which has become a trend today that sees people bumping and grinding [their fists]," said the deputy minister.
"Do we wash our hands after that?" he asked, adding that he has also seen people embracing one another.
"[There should be] no salam and other forms of body contact"
He explained that fist bumping, which took the place of handshakes since the COVID-19 pandemic began, still involves physical touch.
Instead, he said the MOH suggests a complete no-touch greeting.
"The ministry recommends putting your hand on your chest and bow as a sign of respect. The current trend (fist bumping) is not good and we should be more careful," he said at the Dewan Negara sitting today, 8 September.
Dr Noor Azmi was responding to a question by Senator Lim Pay Hen who wanted to know the government's action plan as scientists predicted that the pandemic would last another two years
"We will continue to monitor this pandemic as we don't fully know the disease yet; the weapons we have currently in fighting the disease are the face mask, hand sanitiser, and physical distancing," he answered.
According to Malay Mail, he noted, however, that Malaysia has proven to be among the countries able to control this infectious virus and has been gaining world recognition for its efforts in fighting the disease.
