Ever since the Wuhan virus outbreak become widespread earlier this month, facial masks, and in particular, surgical masks have been flying off shelves like hot cakes.
If you’ve been dying to get one for yourself and your family, but have not been able to do so due to stocks running out, here’s good news.
On Thursday (30 Jan), National Development Minister Lawrence Wong announced that each Singapore household will receive 4 surgical masks for free starting this Saturday (1 Feb).
According to Channel NewsAsia (CNA), surgical masks will be available progressively at 89 Community Centres (CCs) and 654 Residents’ Committee (RC) centres islandwide.
They will first be made available at RCs in HDB estates from 1-5 Feb, and distributed at CCs from 6 Feb. You can check out your nearest CC here.
This is to ensure that every Singaporean will have access to masks when the need arises.
The face masks will be sealed in a bag, and Singaporeans can start collecting them from 1-9 Feb, at the following collection hours:
Vulnerable residents, rental block residents, and Pioneer Generation residents will be given priority.
To qualify for the collection, Singaporeans would have to bring along their NRICs for verification purposes.
Singaporeans are advised to use the masks responsibly, and only use them when they’re unwell and have to see a doctor.
Mr Wong also said that this is a “one-time exercise”.
We’re glad that the Singapore government is anticipating the needs of Singaporeans are making masks more readily available, especially for those who need it most.
As tempting as it may be, please heed the authorities’ advice and use it only when needed.
Featured image adapted from CNA & MS News.
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