Many in Singapore will be excited to learn that from August 29, masks will no longer be mandatory in many settings in Singapore, including in schools!
The pandemic has lasted for more than two years. We have navigated many associated challenges with our kids, including lockdown activities and home learning. One significant protective measure in place to keep Singapore and our families safe has been to wear masks when outside the home. Whilst this has been necessary, we have also longed for the day when the risks would lessen enough for us to no longer need masks to stop the spread. It has been a long time coming!
At last, on August 29, mask wearing will no longer be mandatory in many settings, including schools! Our children will be able to see each others and their teachers full faces again, hurrah! We wanted to share the lowdown on what this means, and where and when masks will still be needed. We are also very respectful of the decision to still wear a mask wherever you feel uncomfortable; we just welcome the freedom to choose if you do or you don’t, where the setting allows.
Where do we still need to wear masks?
Masks will still be mandatory on public transport and in hospitals and clinics (including residential care homes, and places where there are vulnerable citizens). Everywhere else, mask wearing will be optional.
When can we choose to stop wearing them?
August 29 2022 is the day!
Pros and cons of mask wearing
We understand some of us are still quite nervous about the spread of Covid-19, and other illnesses, especially for young children or older, more vulnerable adults. You of course can still opt to wear a mask wherever you choose. We asked some of our friends and colleagues for their opinion on wearing masks in Singapore:
Amy, mum of Sienna
“I am really glad that we will have the choice of whether or not to wear masks when we leave the house. To be honest, I will probably still wear a mask when I go to shopping malls, because it is indoors and there is a higher risk of spread of illness. My daughter is five, and I know she finds the mask really uncomfortable, so I know she’ll be happy not to wear one all day in school any more! I do worry about her catching illnesses. I also think it’s good to strengthen her immune system while she is young. So, if she does catch a few childhood colds, it’s not such a bad thing.”
Erika, mum of Jasper, Jacob and Amelie:
“I won’t wear my mask at all, except for when I have to in taxis or at the doctor! I have asthma, and I have really struggled with mask wearing. I had covid-19 a while ago and recovered quite quickly, and I’m also fully vaccinated. Hopefully, if I did catch it again, I would be okay. I think day-to-day comfort of not wearing a mask is more important for my mental and physical health!”
Laura, mum of Natalie and Matilda:
“I think it is so important for the kids to not have to wear masks at school. That for me, is the biggest thing. I think it’s important for their emotional intelligence to be able to see other people’s expressions. This is how they will learn and understand what people mean, not just with spoken words but with their faces too. There are lots of nuances in expressions, even humour, anger and sadness, that they have been missing out on while half of their friends and teachers faces have been covered. I think having the choice of when to wear a mask is a great thing for all of us!”
Got an opinion? Share with us!