Malaysia is considering making face masks compulsory in public following the emergence of 13 new coronavirus clusters since the government relaxed broad curbs on movement and businesses last month, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said.

Malaysian health authorities have recorded 21 new coronavirus cases today, lifting the total since the outbreak began to 8,800 cases and 123 deaths.

Muhyiddin said a string of double-digit daily increases, coupled with the new clusters detected in several states across the country, has led the government to think that it may be necessary to make wearing face masks in public compulsory.