Fourth round of free face mask distribution to start on 1 March
SINGAPORE — The Temasek Foundation will be offering free reusable MaskPlus Livinguard face masks for Singapore residents from 1 to 14 March at vending machines in over 800 locations islandwide. This will be its fourth round of mask distribution.
In a media release on Tuesday (24 February), the foundation said that anyone with a government-issued ID may collect one free mask each. This includes Singaporeans, permanent residents, employment or work pass permit holders, long-term pass holders and their family dependents, and international students living in hostels.
Residents may collect on behalf of their family members and friends, by scanning the barcodes of their respective government-issued IDs or keying in their ID information.
The reusable masks are available in S, M, L, and XL sizes. Free size S masks are only available to children aged 8 and younger. Additional masks may be ordered online or via the DBS PayLah! app at $10 each, subject to availability.
New mask offers protection by inactivating viruses
The MaskPlus Livinguard reusable mask has two layers of proprietary-treated cotton fabric that offer protection primarily by inactivating viruses. It has an antiviral performance of over 97 per cent and an antibacterial performance of over 99.7 per cent after 30 washes.
The mask need only be washed once a week. If worn daily and washed weekly 30 times, the mask can be used daily for up to seven months.
After 30 washes, however, its performance will be gradually reduced with each additional wash. Thus, it may be used like ordinary two-layer cotton masks, or used in conjunction with other masks including disposable medical grade masks for added protection.
10 arrested for unauthorised collection of face masks
Since the distribution of face masks started in June last year, police have arrested 10 persons for their suspected involvement in separate cases of cheating for unauthorised collection of reusable face masks from the vending machines.
The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years and/or a fine. Residents are advised to contact the police at 999 if they witness any unauthorised collection of masks or spot any suspicious person loitering near any vending machines or collecting large numbers of face masks.
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