Every Singapore resident to get free pair of reusable masks from Sept 21

SINGAPORE — From Sept 21, every Singapore resident will be able to collect a free pair of reusable masks under another initiative organised by Temasek Foundation. 

Domestic helpers and workers on work passes will also be able to collect their masks by using their FIN card.

Temasek Holdings CEO Ho Ching announced the latest mask distribution initiative in a Facebook post on Wednesday (Sep 9). 

"The Temasek Foundation folks have been planning this for some time, and were working to make a formal announcement before this weekend," wrote Mdm Ho. 

Collection of the masks starts on Sept 21 at 10am and will end on Oct 4, while pre-orders — for those who want additional masks or masks in colours other than white — will be available from Sep 13 till Oct 2. 

Residents will need to scan the barcodes of their NRIC, FIN, driving licence or any government-issued identification (with barcode) to collect their masks. Each card may be used to collect one free kit containing two white cloth masks.

Residents may also collect on behalf of family members and friends by bringing and scanning the barcodes of their respective IDs.

White masks for adults may be collected from vending machines islandwide at community centres or clubs (CCs), Residents' Committee Centres, bus interchanges, Plaza Singapura and the Temasek Shophouse. 

Smaller masks for children aged 12 and below will also be distributed. These may be collected at CCs and the two Dhoby Ghaut locations.

Mdm Ho said there were "ample supplies" of white-coloured masks for both adults and children. 

"Feel free to go after the first three days to avoid crowds," she added.

Temasek Foundation said in a news release on Thursday that it will work with its partners to ensure "timely top up, especially during the first few days of collection, when anticipated demand is higher". 

Residents who want to buy more masks can pre-order them online. 

White and navy-coloured masks are available at S$8 per kit and each person can pre-order up to 10 kits of these colours. Each kit contains two masks.

Other limited edition colours are also available — black, peach and denim blue. These colours go for S$10 per kit and each person may only pre-order up to five kits.

Pre-orders may be made through stayprepared.sg/buymasks or via the DBS PayLah! App. A unique QR code will be generated for each successful transaction, which can be used to redeem the masks at vending machines.

​​​​​​​The limited edition colours may be collected at Plaza Singapura and the Temasek Shophouse. Navy masks for adults are also available at these locations, as well as at CCs islandwide.

Temasek chairman Lim Boon Heng said that the "positive public feedback" from the first mask distribution drive had been heartening.  

"Together with our partners, we will continue to find more ways to help our communities to stay safe, including using the vending machine network to distribute useful items such as medical supplies, vitamins, or food, in future," he said. CNA

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