That makes no sense. Everywhere I've traveled it's based on the test time. Your intuition is right ..and logical. Hopefully you get the benefit of the confusing wording
The only people I see not wearing masks are farangs.. Not all of them but a few.. And they stick out like a sore thumb. This creates a feeling of resentment against all farangs. You may laugh at the mask requirements but please comply.. It's a very small inconvenience.