S’pore Residents To Get New Bacteria-Filtering Face Masks End-May, Can Collect At CCs & RCs

Singapore To Hand Out New Reusable Face Masks That Filter Bacteria & Are More Breathable

If you’ve been low-key struggling to breathe in reusable face masks given by the government, there’s good news.

The earlier version of reusable face masks
Image courtesy of MS News reader

Singapore will be rolling out a new and improved version of cloth face masks that won’t compromise breathability.

New and improved version of reusable cloth masks
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Best of all, they can filter bacteria better too. So, you don’t have to worry about unwanted organisms getting trapped in the mask’s fabric if you don’t take good care of it.

You’ll be able to collect them from community centres (CCs) and Residents’ Committee (RCs) at the end of the month.

New & improved face masks have higher protective qualities

According to TODAY Online on Wednesday (6 May), the government recognises that reusable cloth masks aren’t “reusable for eternity.”

Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing said this is why they have joined hands with Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) to source for better materials for cloth masks.

Minister Chan (right) visiting ST’s mask production facility in Feb
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The result? An upcoming batch of reusable masks that lets you breathe better and has improved filtration of bacteria.

Apart from collecting them at CCs and RCs, these masks will also be made available in vending machines.

Minister Chan said they’re currently busy stocking up supply. Once they have enough, they’ll hand the masks out to Singapore residents. Look forward to more details on the collection as end of the month approaches.

Singapore will continue building masks stockpile

In his Facebook post, Minister Chan assured that Singapore has not relaxed their efforts in securing face masks despite it being months since the outbreak reached our shores.

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While situation in certain countries may have stabilised, he said,

We cannot rule out the possibility of recurring waves of infection, which means that demand for supplies such as surgical masks may spike again.

He reiterated that Singapore will continuously build a healthy stockpile of surgical masks for the people, especially frontline workers.

Looking forward to new & improved cloth masks

Even if ‘Circuit Breaker’ ends, days of social distancing and wearing masks may not be over until Covid-19 is wiped out.

Till then, face masks will continue to be an essential in our daily lives. Instead of buying, using, and throwing away disposable face masks, these reusable ones are not only useful but environmentally friendly too.

So, kudos to authorities and companies for looking into improving the earlier version of reusable face masks. Best of all, we can get our hands on them soon for free.

Are you looking forward to collecting them? Let us know in the comments below.

Featured image adapted from TODAY Online.