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Covid-19: Khaw encourages commuters to wear masks on public transport, with an eye on making it compulsory soon

SINGAPORE — It will soon be compulsory for all commuters to wear masks when using public transport, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said on Saturday (April 11).

Commuters will be encouraged to wear masks on public transport from now on, as the Ministry of Transport plans to make it compulsory soon.

Commuters will be encouraged to wear masks on public transport from now on, as the Ministry of Transport plans to make it compulsory soon.

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SINGAPORE — It will soon be compulsory for all commuters to wear masks when using public transport, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said on Saturday (April 11). 

And to prepare for this, commuters will be encouraged to wear masks onboard public transport from now on, he said in a Facebook post. 

Mr Khaw did not specify when this will be made compulsory.

Mr Khaw said this move is being made in preparation for the end of the “circuit breaker” period on May 4, when crowds are expected to return to buses and trains.

“With ‘Circuit Breaker’ (CB) measures in place, trains and buses are not crowded and safe distancing is possible for public transport,” Mr Khaw noted.

“But when crowds return to buses and trains, safe distancing rules will push waiting crowds onto the platforms and outside of stations, with long queues. I can imagine impatient, and even angry commuters.”

A practical compromise is for all commuters to wear masks when they use public transport, he said.

He added: “We will make mask-wearing compulsory for public transport. This will minimise transmission in public transport during post-CB period when safe distancing is compromised.”

And to prepare for this, commuters must wear masks now when using public transport. 

“Our Transport Ambassadors will remind them to do so. Our posters too. If you do not have one, please go to your nearest community centre (CC) to collect it NOW.” 

Sunday is the last day for the collection of reusable masks at CCs and residents’ committee centres islandwide, he noted.

“But when you do, please don’t loiter in CC. Collect your mask and go home. And stay home, please.”

Separately, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said on Saturday that from this coming Monday, it will be compulsory for all personnel engaged in the sale and preparation of food and drinks at all SFA-licensed food establishments to wear masks or other forms of physical barriers, such as face shields, to safeguard public health and prevent food contamination.

This includes personnel at hawker centre stalls, coffee shops, restaurants, supermarkets and caterers, among others.

Operators who do not comply with the requirement are liable for a penalty of up to S$5,000, suspension or cancellation of their licences, or both.

The SFA had on April 6 issued an advisory to operators of food and beverage establishments informing them that food handlers and employees should wear a mask or face shield while they are working, such as when serving food, taking orders, and accepting payment. The latest announcement that this will now be mandatory is to ensure compliance, the SFA said.

Mr Khaw’s post and the SFA's move come two days after NTUC FairPrice said that all shoppers who go to its stores are strongly encouraged to wear masks while doing so.

“This is in line with the Ministry of Health’s latest approach of encouraging people to wear masks and to continue ensuring the safety of its shoppers and staff,” the supermarket chain said.

Related topics

public transport Ministry of Transport masks Covid-19

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