I don't think that's a valid argument. Masks should be worn in public places, especially on subways and buses.
People had already started wearing them, so I'm disappointed with the change in position. The reality is that it's not possible to make masks available to everyone. They don't want to make something mandatory when it can't be enforced because of resources. That's what I've heard.
Governments sometimes have to implement public health measures, but that doesn't make them totalitarian states. Public health authorities have the power to impose certain things in order to protect society, so I think it's dangerous to use an argument like that.