All commuters will have to wear masks on public transport after the circuit breaker (CB) period has passed, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said in a Facebook post on Saturday (Apr. 11).

"We will make mask-wearing compulsory for public transport. This will minimise transmission in public transport during the post-CB period when safe distancing is compromised," Khaw wrote.

He said that with the CB measures in place, trains and buses are not crowded and safe distancing is possible for commuters taking public transport.

However, things will be different when the crowds return.

Khaw said that a practical compromise is for all commuters to wear masks when they use public transport.

Transport Ambassadors will start reminding commuters

Khaw said that Transport Ambassadors and posters will reminder commuters to wear masks during the CB period.

Khaw also reminded Singaporean residents to go to his or her nearest community centre to collect it, noting that Apr. 12 is the last day for the mask collection.

Singaporeans will also have to start wearing masks in order to enter the 40 markets managed by the National Environment Agency (NEA) or NEA-appointed operators tomorrow.

In a grandfatherly tone, Khaw reminded Singaporeans to adopt safety precautions immediately and not loiter in the community centre when they collect masks:

"To prepare for this, we will get commuters to wear masks, NOW, when using public transport. Our Transport Ambassadors will remind them to do so. Our posters too. If you do not have one, please go to your nearest CC to collect it NOW. Tomorrow is the last day for mask-collection. But when you do, please don’t loiter in CC. Collect your mask and go home. And stay home, please."

Because mask collection is not an excuse for one to be out of his or her home for an extended period.

And one could have collected those masks before CB measures started.