share on
As such, wearing a mask will be optional at airports, naturally ventilated bus interchanges, and taxis amongst other settings.
Effective 29 August 2022, wearing a mask will no longer be required indoors in Singapore, except for in two settings: on public transport and in healthcare facilities.
This was announced by the Multi-Ministry Taskforce (MTF) on 24 August 2022 (Wednesday).
As such, wearing a mask will be optional at airports, naturally ventilated bus interchanges, and in the retail areas of bus interchanges and MRT and LRT stations.
Similarly, private transport modes such as taxis, school buses and private bus services, also no longer require passengers to wear a mask.
This update follows the initial announcement by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during the National Day Rally 2022.
As part of this updated mandate, masks will still be required on transport modes such as the MRT, LRT, and public buses, as well as in indoor public transport facilities such as boarding areas at bus interchanges and MRT platforms.
Healthcare facilities, residential care homes (including welfare and sheltered homes for the aged, as well as adult disability homes), and ambulances will also keep their mask-wearing requirement. These include:
- the indoor premises of hospitals and polyclinics (inclusive of retail, food and beverages (F&B) outlets, common areas and other facilities within the hospital/polyclinic building);
- private primary care and dental facilities, specialist clinics, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinics, renal dialysis centres, clinical and radiological laboratories, day hospices;
- residential care homes;
- COVID-19 care facilities, testing centres and vaccination centres, and
- emergency ambulances and medical transport vehicles
This is because these areas have been deemed "essential areas where essential services are being carried out in enclosed and crowded spaces, and which are frequently used by vulnerable persons, the MTF highlighted.
Mask-wearing as part of sectoral regulations, such as the Singapore Food Agency’s (SFA) requirement for food handlers to maintain good hygiene standards, will still be required as well.
With the easing of Safe Management Measures, the Ministry of Health reminds the public it is even more important that "all of us exercise personal and social responsibility".
Individuals who are unwell should continue to stay home and avoid going out. If they feel unwell when out or in the workplace, they should go home immediately to rest or see a doctor.
Those who are close contacts of an infected person should follow Protocol 3 – take an Antigen Rapid Test self-test and make sure they test negative before going out over the next five days.
ALSO READ:
- Singapore to update vaccination requirements for selected work pass holders effective 1 Oct 2022
Lead image / Shutterstock
Follow us on Telegram and on Instagram @humanresourcesonline for all the latest HR and manpower news from around the region!
share on
Follow us on Telegram and on Instagram @humanresourcesonline for all the latest HR and manpower news from around the region!
Related topics
