The Singapore government declared that mandatory mask wearing will no longer be required from the 29th of August, 2022.

Not long before this declaration, the Singapore government announced mask-wearing as optional for the outdoors as well. 

Therefore, it has now become normal to see people not wearing their masks outdoors.

A lot of people still wear their masks outdoors, but compared to earlier times, more people are willing  to now take off their masks. 

Among the people who still wear masks, many people are wearing normal surgery masks rather than the dust masks or thick masks. 

The government estimates that around 60% of local residents have gotten Covid-19 before, and considering that the statistics are not including foreigners—such as international students—the actual total Covid-19 cases would be higher than that estimate. 

According to the Ministry of Health Singapore, 93% of people in Singapore received at least one dose of the vaccine, 93% completed their full regimen, and 79% have already got their booster shots. 

Some people mention that because the majority of the population have already gotten Covid-19 before, the government might. 

In school, many students expressed positive opinions on the new regulations. As they have been wearing masks for a long period of time, they are also expecting other changes to go back to their daily life. 

There are particular reasons why people are so eager for new regulations. 

Wearing a mask was very uncomfortable and  it took a certain amount of time for people to get familiar with it. 

When the Covid-19 cases were at its peak, the prices of masks drastically increased, and in some countries, mask supplies ran out. . 

As half of one’s face was covered, communication was not as effective as pre-covid times, and people weren’t able to fully express their feelings due to the limited spectrum of facial expressions. 

Some of the masks are also made of coarse fabric, which also contributes towards a negative perception of masks in people’s minds. 

On the first day of mask-off day, despite a lot of people not wearing their masks, there were still a decent number of people wearing them. 

However, as time passed, more people stopped wearing their  masks. In some international schools, the majority now do not wear masks.  

It has become to standard to wear a mask now when people are not feeling well, however. 

In addition, people’s perception of Covid-19 has changed. 

Although people were horrified when they received the news of a positive Covid test in 2020, , in 2022, many people are not afraid of getting Covid-19 anymore. 

Many school events are starting to get revived , and many students are excited to enjoy those fun activities once again. 

Nonetheless, in enclosed and crowded areas, such as public transportations, mask-wearing is still mandatory, and people are following these regulations actively.  

People are now eagerly awaiting the day when they don’t need to wear masks everywhere and return to their pre-Covid life. 

Yujin Son 
Year 10 
Australian International School