SINGAPORE — The authorities will fine nearly 50 people who were caught without wearing a face mask in public places on Thursday (April 16), the first day of enforcement on the new rule, Mr Masagos Zulkifli said.

The Minister for the Environment and Water Resources said in a Facebook post that fines would also be issued to about 150 other people who breached safe distancing rules.

“We are still finding people eating at hawker centres despite dine-in being disallowed, crowds returning to some popular markets, and others loitering and hanging out in groups at parks and public spaces,” he said.

He added that the 28-day circuit breaker period may not be enough to break the chain of transmission if Singaporeans do not play their part, and noted that a “small number” of people were becoming complacent even as the number of Covid-19 cases continues to rise. Singapore had 4,427 Covid-19 infections as of Thursday, when it reported the largest daily spike of 728 new cases. 

The Government announced on Tuesday that it was mandatory for everyone leaving their homes to wear a mask to slow the spread of Covid-19, with enforcement to begin on Thursday. Those doing strenuous exercise, such as running or jogging, and children below two years old, need not do so.

Those who do not wear masks in public will face a S$300 fine for the first offence, and S$1,000 for the second offence. Serious cases will face prosecution in court.

Mr Masagos said he was glad to note that the majority of Singaporeans have been wearing masks.

“It is a good sign but I hope we will find none tomorrow (Friday),” he said.

SINGAPOREANS ADJUST TO NEW RULE

Earlier on Thursday, when TODAY visited housing estates across the island — including Punggol, Hougang, Ghim Moh, Clementi and Holland Village — most people were seen with their masks on, except when they were eating or smoking.

Some complained that it was hot and stuffy to wear a mask at all times and said that the authorities should allow more time for people to adjust to the rule. Others such as delivery riders and smokers would remove the masks furtively for a breather or a quick smoke break.

GrabFood delivery rider Ahmad Hussain, 32, who had a blue mask tucked under his chin, was standing outside Waterway Point mall in Punggol. He said that he wears the mask when he collects and delivers food to protect himself and his customers.

He had been cycling all morning delivering food in the blistering heat with a mask on. “That is considered strenuous exercise, too, right?” he asked.

Private-hire car driver See Eng Peng, 60, who had a mask tucked under his chin as he took sips from a drink, told TODAY that he was initially confused by the sudden rule and was still getting used to it.

“They should give us more time to adjust to it. Some might forget, and all of us definitely find it uncomfortable,” he said.

“At the start, the Government said there was no need for those who are healthy to wear masks. Now that things are out of control, they suddenly expect us to. Maybe if they asked us to wear masks from the start, things would not have escalated to this point,” he said.

Even so, Mr See said he would abide by the rule for the sake of his health and that of his passengers.

At Hougang, TODAY spotted a man in his late 60s sitting outside a barber shop without a face mask.

When approached, he immediately reached into his pocket and took out a washable mask. “I was wearing it on the way here, but it was making me feel breathless,” said the man, who declined to be named for fear of being identified by enforcement officers.

At noon, a safe distancing ambassador told TODAY that he had been stationed at Clementi Avenue 3 since 7.30am, but had not meted out any fines. He declined to be named.

Three other ambassadors in the area said that they had only advised people to keep their masks on, after spotting some holding the face coverings or not wearing them properly.

SMOKERS KEEP AWAY FROM OTHERS

With enforcers roving the streets to catch those without masks, smokers said that they have been more careful during their smoke breaks.

Ms Aisyah Hussein, 31, who works in a bank at Holland Village, was having a quick smoke on Thursday morning when a group of enforcement officers walked by. They did not approach her even though she had removed her mask, she said.

She added that she had kept a safe distance from the next smoker. “It does not make sense for them to fine someone who is smoking, because my mask is off for just about 10 minutes. I think they are generally quite understanding.”

Foodpanda delivery rider Harith Yusni, 20, said that he would have to be quick and discreet during smoke breaks now. He pauses for a cigarette five times in the seven or eight hours that he fulfils delivery orders in Clementi and Jurong every day.

“The only way to smoke is to remove my mask. They cannot expect us not to smoke just so we can keep the mask on,” he said.

Cashier Joanna Koh, 29, who was smoking outside Waterway Point, said that because more people are gathering near smoking zones, she has been searching for more secluded areas to have her cigarettes.

She tries to avoid being seen among a group of people without masks on. “Even pulling my mask down to smoke makes me feel like a criminal,” she said.