Despite lifting of mandate, people are still uncomfortable without masks in certain places
From today, wearing a mask in Singapore is optional in most indoor settings, marking the first time residents can go mask-free indoors since it was mandated in April 2020. Even as it is made voluntary, latest data from YouGov RealTime Omnibus indicates that most still intend to wear a mask when in public indoor spaces, at least some of the time.
Private transport modes, like private bus services and taxis (60%), together with airports and train stations (58%), are the two locations most residents will go as far as to mask up all the time, with six in ten saying so.
Apart from this, nearly half said they will always wear a mask in shopping centres (48%), while four in ten will do so at indoor events or festivals (39%) and places of worship (37%). A third will constantly keep their masks on in cinemas (34%) and indoor workplaces (33%).
Conversely, locations where residents were most likely to say they would never wear a mask are at a friend or family member’s house (34%).
For the most part, where Singapore residents will opt to always wear a mask is consistent with where they feel the most vulnerable. When asked about their level of comfort in visiting the same locations, private transport (41%), airports or train stations (40%) and indoor events or festivals (40%) emerged as the places people felt most uncomfortable.
This was followed by nightlife establishments (35%) – with more residents expressing a greater degree of discomfort – and cinemas (32%). Three in ten said they feel uncomfortable visiting shopping centres (30%), places of worship (30%), indoor workplaces (27%) and F&B establishments (26%).
Additionally, those above the age of 55 were most likely to say they would be uncomfortable visiting any of these locations, with the exception of friends and family’s homes.
Methodology:
YouGov RealTime Omnibus provides quick survey results from nationally representative or targeted audiences in multiple markets. This study was conducted online on 25 - 26 August 2022, with a nationally representative sample of 1,046 adults in Singapore (aged 18+ years), using a questionnaire designed by YouGov. Data figures have been weighted by age, gender, and ethnicity to be representative of all adults in Singapore (18 years or older), and reflect the latest Singapore Department of Statistics (DOS) estimates. Learn more about YouGov RealTime Omnibus.
