SINGAPORE: Many people were still wearing their face masks in shopping centres and malls, regardless of the eased restrictions from Mon (Aug 29) .
Among them was Microsoft Aminah Johari at NEX shopping mall in Serangoon who was ignorant that restrictions have lifted.
Nevertheless, Ms Aminah, who does part-time administrative function, maintained that she’d continue to mask up until Singapore records less than 100 community instances per day.
The 61-year-old said the lady felt concerned about the announcement as the quantities could increase since the year came to an end.
“Because as it is, they said cases may go up again in late the year and because many people, when they sneeze or cough, they do not protect their mouths (even) before the pandemic, ” she said.
Others, like Microsoft Aminah, were not conscious that restrictions have lifted. CNA observed a middle-aged man in a retail store on City Square Mall asking why a worker was not masked upward while at the transforming rooms. The retail staff could be noticed explaining the new restrictions.
As of Monday, indoor mask limitations have been lifted throughout Singapore, except on public transport and in healthcare facilities.
Masks are still required on the MRT, LRT and public buses as well as in indoor public transport amenities like boarding places at bus interchanges and MRT platforms, but are optional on private transportation modes like taxis and private employ cars.
When CNA visited shopping malls across Singapore on Monday, lots of people were still putting on their masks inside, with only a few walking around unmasked. Whenever asked, those disguised said they put on it out of routine or social obligation.
There were more people unmasked at Changi Airport terminal at lunchtime, most of them with luggage in tow.
Polytechnic student Lim Meng Loek, who had been waiting for his buddy at Changi Airport, told CNA he or she wore a mask because he was utilized to it.
“Now there is still COVID-19, it is not totally over. So I just continue wearing, ” the 20-year-old informed CNA, adding that he usually takes his cover up off outdoors.
“Over time slowly … a lot more people will take off their masks. For the first day, I just continue (to wear). ”
Mister Lim shared which he has caught the virus at least three times, so he feels he’s developed some immunity against COVID-19. Given that he has hearing issues and wears the hearing aid, it is easier for your pet to understand people if they are speaking to your pet without wearing a mask.
“(I bring it off) only outdoors, in open areas. For indoor spaces, I will see how, when there are less people I will take it off. But now we are in Changi Airport, there are a lot of foreigners coming in, ” he or she added.
“For me, face masks are very suffocating. Whenever we can get back to regular and take them away that would be better — I can breathe correctly and we can see each others’ faces. ”