Free Mask Drop: Temasek Gets People Covered
On August 26, Singaporeans will be able to snag 50 surgical masks and 25 N95 respirators at a whopping 131 supermarket and CapitaLand mall outlets across the island. Temasek Foundation’s “Stay Prepared” campaign rolls out for a whole month, from 26 Aug to 26 Sep.
Why the fuss?
- Delta’s got a pretty high infectivity rate, so the gov’s stressing about everyone wearing effective masks.
- Hadron‑era surgical masks filter 95% of particles; N95s are the superhero choice for high‑risk jobs like nursing or large‑scale testing.
Where to get your gear
- CapitaLand malls: Bedok, Bugis, Bukit Panjang, Funan, IMM, JCube, Junction 8, Lot One, Plaza Singapura, Tampines and Westgate.
- Supermarket chains: Sheng Siong, Prime, FairPrice Xtra, Cold Storage, Giant and 125 others.
Each spot runs from 11 AM to 8 PM daily. A digital queue will keep crowds in check – you’ll be matched to your turn, and you can even see the line length before you head out.
It’s a simple ticket‑intro
Just bring your SP Group bill (paper or electronic), show the bill account number for scanning, and boom – you’ve got your masks. No pharmacies, no big guy around for heavy stock.
Keep cool, keep clean
- Bring a reusable bag to avoid adding more plastic waste.
- Skip the first three days if you can; plenty of stock, so no rush‑chase panic.
“It turns out 80 % of the population would need to wear 80 % effective masks or better,” said Ms Ho Ching, Temasek CEO. “We’re grateful to the countless volunteers who keep this initiative alive.”
Previously, Temasek distributed free oximeters through pharmacies and supermarkets. This mask drive marks the sixth “Stay Prepared” push. Stay safe, stay masked!
