Mask-wearing no longer required at indoor settings from Aug 29, except on public transport, healthcare facilities

With local COVID-19 infection numbers steadily declining since late July and high vaccination and boosting rates, mask-wearing in indoor settings will become optional from Aug 29, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Wednesday (Aug 24).

This includes while commuting via private transports such as school buses, private bus services, private hire vehicles and taxis.

However, mask-wearing will still be required on public transports, indoor public transport facilities such as boarding areas at bus interchanges and MRT stations, and at all healthcare facilities.

According to the MOH press release, healthcare facilities include indoor premises of hospitals and polyclinics, private primary care and dental facilities, specialist clinics, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinics, renal dialysis centres, day hospices and residential care homes.

Passengers will also not be required to wear a mask on commercial flights and ferries to and from destinations that do not require mask-wearing onboard. Those entering or leaving destinations that require mask-wearing onboard will still have to adhere to the regulations.

MOH urged all Singaporeans to continue to exercise responsibility and caution even with the lifting of mask-wearing requirements.

“Mask-wearing remains an effective way for us to minimise the risk of disease transmission… In particular, experts have advised that the elderly and immuno-compromised should continue to wear masks in crowded indoor settings to reduce their risk of catching any respiratory infections,” said MOH.

Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong also said at the press conference that there will not be any changes made to Vaccination-Differentiated Safe Management Measures (VDS) at this juncture.

“VDS checks are required only for large events beyond 500 persons or for dining-in at F&B establishments. You still need to be fully vaccinated, but businesses will no longer check because the responsibility is placed on the individual and we do random spot checks. 

“For now, we are retaining this approach, so there is no change to this as vaccinations are still the best way to protect ourselves against severe disease from COVID-19,” he said.