SINGAPORE: Most people were nevertheless wearing their masks in shopping centres and malls, inspite of the eased restrictions from Mon (Aug 29) .
Among them was Microsoft Aminah Johari on NEX shopping mall within Serangoon who was ignorant that restrictions have got lifted.
Still, Ms Aminah, who does part-time administrative work, maintained that she would continue to mask up to Singapore records less than 100 community instances per day.
The 61-year-old said the lady felt concerned about the particular announcement as the numbers could increase because the year came to an end.
“Because since it is, they said cases may go up again at the end of the year and because many people, when they sneeze or even cough, they do not protect their mouths (even) before the pandemic, ” she said.
Others, like Microsoft Aminah, were not conscious that restrictions have got lifted. CNA noticed a middle-aged guy in a retail store from City Square Shopping mall asking why an employee was not masked upward while at the altering rooms. The retail staff could be heard explaining the new limitations.
As of Mon, indoor mask limitations have been lifted throughout Singapore, except upon public transport and in healthcare facilities.
Masks are still required on the MRT, LRT and public busses as well as in interior public transport services like boarding areas at bus interchanges and MRT systems, but are optionally available on private transportation modes like cabs and private employ cars.
When CNA frequented shopping malls across Singapore on Monday, most people were still wearing their masks indoors, with only a handful walking around unmasked. When asked, those masked said they wore it out of routine or social obligation.
There were more people unmasked at Changi Airport terminal at lunchtime, most of them with luggage within tow.
Polytechnic student Lim Meng Loek, who had been waiting for his friend at Changi Airport, told CNA this individual wore a mask because he was used to it.
“Now there is still COVID-19, it is not completely over. So I simply continue wearing, ” the 20-year-old informed CNA, adding that he usually takes his mask off outdoors.
“Over period slowly … a lot more people will take away their masks. For the first day, I just continue (to wear). ”
Mr Lim shared which he has caught the virus at least three times, therefore he feels they have developed some immunity against COVID-19. Considering that he has hearing problems and wears a hearing aid, it really is easier for him to understand people if they are speaking to him without wearing a mask.
“(I get it off) only outdoors, in open spaces. For indoors areas, I will see how, if there are less people I will take it off. But now we are in Changi Airport, there are a lot of foreign people coming in, ” this individual added.
“For me, masks are very suffocating. If we can get back to normal and take them off that would be better : I can breathe properly and we can see every others’ faces. ”
Homemaker Shaleen Agrawal, who was seen seated at Treasure Changi Airport, stated that she kept the girl mask on in the airport area as many travellers still arrived from other parts of the planet.
The girl added that the lady wore her mask out of habit and can continue to do so within crowded areas.
“When we noticed the news we were therefore happy and excited but yet on the day we have been allowed to take it off we all still have it upon, ” the 45-year-old noted while laughing.
That said, Ms Shaleen felt it was better to face mask up. “It is perfect for the protection of every other. I have kids in my family and I actually do not know regardless of whether you have elderly in yours. It is just the greater responsible thing to do. ”
According to a survey by YouGov conducted on Aug 25 and August 26, nearly half, or 48 % of the 1, 046 respondents said they will always wear a mask in buying centres.
sixty per cent of respondents said they would usually wear a face mask on private transport modes, and 58 per cent of them stated they would always put on one at the airport terminal or in train stations.
Personal transport modes and the airport also surfaced as the top indoor places respondents sensed uncomfortable with visiting now that wearing a face mask is no longer required, the survey showed.
Singapore saw 1, 361 documented COVID-19 locally carried cases on Weekend, according to figures from the Ministry of Health (MOH).