Singapore Drops Airplane & Airport Mask Rules

The masking rules in Singapore will be changed as of Monday.

Singapore drops mask requirements on August 29

Singapore has led the way when it comes to cautiously reopening. The city-state has evolved over time as vaccines and other treatments for coronaviruses have improved.

Singapore will no longer require masks for most indoor settings on August 29, 2022. Private taxis and buses, flights and ferries, indoor retail areas, and retail pharmacy will no longer need masks. Public transportation and healthcare facilities still require masks.

As of August 29, 2022, masks won't be required at Singapore Changi Airport or on Singapore Airlines flights.

In countries like Canada, Indonesia, and South Korea, masks are required for flights to and from destinations that still need them.

One of the few major countries in Asia that initially took strong precautions against the Pandemic, but at this point life has more or less returned to normal, if people choose.

Singapore’s coronavirus response has impressed me

There is a lot of criticism of the government's response to the swine flu. Everyone has a different opinion on how governments should deal with coronaviruses.

There needs to be a tradeoff between allowing people to live their lives in the long run and not wanting unnecessary deaths. Most people agree that telling people to stay home and not get into cars is not something the government should require.

Singapore did one of the best jobs in the world when it came to dealing with the swine flu.

• I think it was important to take strong precautions at first, when treatment options were limited, healthcare systems were overwhelmed, personal protection was in short supply, and the death rate from the pandemic was high
• However, as treatments to coronavirus emerged, and as we realized that coronavirus isn’t going anywhere, I think it was time to focus on a gradual transition to a new normal

Singapore did that better than anyone else. The country took extreme precautions, but as vaccines were rolled out, the restrictions were gradually lifted.

Many people agree that the epidemic isn't over. In the US, we see an average of 500 deaths per day. That is terrible and sad. When you look at the data

• The death rate among unvaccinated people is 6.7 per 100,000 people per week
• The death rate among fully boosted people is 0.4 per 100,000 people per week

I don't think it's necessary to say more there...

Do you recall Singapore's ridiculous Connect@Changi business travel concept? I think that has been canceled.

Bottom line

Most indoor settings in Singapore are no longer required for mask requirements. Unless masks are required for the destination you're traveling to, you won't have to mask at Singapore Changi Airport or Singapore Airlines.

Taking the world's longest flight, from New York to Singapore, is a bit more pleasant now that this has happened.

What do you think about the mask requirements in Singapore?