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SINGAPORE: Singapore residents will be able to collect free reusable masks and alcohol-free hand sanitizer from March and April at another national distribution from the Temasek Foundation.
In a Facebook post, Temasek Holdings CEO Ho Ching said that the reusable masks will be ready for collection on March 1. Each Singaporean resident can collect a navy blue mask from the Swiss company Livinguard, provided by the Temasek Foundation, he said in the previous post. Friday (February 19).
“As before, we cover the residents of Singapore and not Singapore, as no one is safe until everyone is safe,” said Mdm Ho.
This is the fourth national distribution of masks from the Temasek Foundation, and the collection will last for two weeks.
Between June last year and the end of January, about 26 million reusable masks were distributed, Temasek said in a Facebook post on January 28.
The new mask is made up of two layers: the outer layer is a water-repellent antimicrobial layer, while the antibacterial treatment on the inner layer “kills any bacteria in our saliva,” said Mdm Ho.
The mask also doesn’t have to be washed off after daily use, he said. Instead, the mask can be washed once or twice a week. With up to 30 washes, the mask can be worn daily for approximately six to seven months.
Even after 30 washes, the mask can be used as a normal two-layer cotton mask. It can also be used as an “outer mask” to provide better protection for those who may be wearing another mask underneath.
“For example, if there was an outbreak of the most infectious variants from the UK, South Africa or Brazil, we should wear a double mask for additional protection,” said Mdm Ho.
Mask vending machines at four community centers are also being changed to accommodate the workflow for the launch of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Photo: Facebook / Ho Ching)
The new Livinguard mask also has an elastic chin to provide a better fit and air seal. However, their size differs from the ProShield black masks that were distributed in another exercise last November.
“Please double check the size of your mask before picking it up or ordering as no exchanges or refunds will be allowed for hygiene reasons,” said Mdm Ho.
Meanwhile, mask vending machines at 20 community centers have been moved to adjacent HDB blocks as the centers will be used for the national COVID-19 vaccination rollout.
Vending machines are also being restocked, added Mdm Ho.
DISTRIBUTION OF HAND DISINFECTORS TO START MID-APRIL
In its second initiative of its kind, the Temasek Foundation is also distributing 500 ml of alcohol-free hand sanitizer to every household since mid-April.
The disinfectant is produced by the local company Klenco.
Unlike the previous distribution exercise in April 2020, residents can pick up free hand sanitizer from vending machines.
Residents will need to bring their Singapore Power (SP) utility bill, as well as their own bottle, for collection.
The SP invoice for March and April, both on paper and electronically, will contain a special QR code with the residents’ SP invoice number.
READ: Singapore can now produce filters for surgical masks, will be distributed to residents if needed
To start the collection process, residents will need to scan the QR code on the vending machine readers or enter their SP invoice number on the touch screen. Once done, a #BYOB bottle sticker will be generated and residents can pick up their free hand sanitizer.
Mdm Ho hopes this will allow all households to collect “at a smooth level, around the clock” at their closest community centers.
More information will be available soon for both distribution exercises.
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