Training Safe Distancing Ambassadors for Easing of COVID-19 Measures

Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment as we move towards further easing measures in the community, how will the social distancing ambassadors be aided to enforce rules on the ground as there will be more grey areas on when and how to mask on.

Mr Speaker, since the start of the circuit breaker period, agencies have continued to deploy Safe Distancing Ambassadors and Enforcement Officers to advise the public and enforce on safe distancing measures. These measures are critical to safeguarding public health and protect ourselves and each other, even as we gradually open up our economy and social settings.

Even though caseloads are currently low, we must not let our guard down. We will need to stay nimble and calibrate our measures appropriately. For example, we recently lifted the odd or even entry restrictions at the four popular markets but stepped up our enforcement at F&B hotspots.

In line with this, our Safe Distancing Ambassadors and Enforcement Officers are regularly updated on the safe distancing measures, including the rules of engagement with premises operators and members of the public. They are briefed by their team leaders and supervisors on adjustments to the measures and provided reference material through their mobile devices. They are also deployed in teams of at least two, where a more experienced officer will be partnered with a newer one to provide support and guidance.

Mask wearing will remain an important measure for public health to protect ourselves and those we come into contact with. Mask wearing will remain mandatory for anyone leaving their homes. A recent study by A*STAR found that small particles from a person’s cough could travel more than one metre within eight seconds if no mask was worn. On the other hand, wearing a mask would help reduce the spread of the virus, by significantly reducing the droplets and aerosols ejected from a person’s nose and mouth. Everyone should put on your mask at all times, including putting your mask back on immediately after activities such as eating, drinking or engaging in strenuous exercise. You should also keep your mask on when seated before you start consuming your food or drink or before you begin your workout.

We have been able to contain the COVID-19 situation with the co-operation of the community and business operators. I urge everyone to continue to play your part in adhering to these safe distancing measures and to co-operate with the Safe Distancing Ambassadors and Enforcement Officers, so that we continue to keep community transmission of COVID-19 under control.

Mr Speaker, I thank the Minister for her response. I think we are not disputing the need to put on masks and also to have safe distancing. But I suppose the hardest part is the duty of the safe Distancing Ambassadors because everybody has to play their part. But I have already received quite some feedback from residents, for example, at a very popular hawker centre in the market. The point is, the Safe Distancing Ambassadors use judgement to give advsiories, for example, when exactly must they put on the mask. It is a matter of timing. Some people say immediately; once they put down their chopsticks and utensils, they need to immediately put on the mask; and there were Safe Distancing Ambassadors who told them as such. There are others who used their discretion and felt that some people can some conversation before they put on the mask.

As a result of these varying differences, I think it makes it very challenging on the ground, especially as we move towards Phase 3 – I am not sure when that is – and you increase the number of people who can come out to dine. I think this is the biggest challenge that people would face on the ground, including those in exercise corners as well.

I just wanted to ask the Minister what other measures can be done to aid the Safe Distancing Ambassadors and also for the public not to make things difficult for the Safe Distancing Ambassadors.

Mr Speaker, I thank the Member for that supplementary question. I agree that sometimes, it is difficult for the work of the Safe Distancing Ambassadors to enforce all the rules.

The rules are quite clear – which is, immediately after you have finished eating, you should put on a mask. But of course, the Safe Distancing Ambassadors are not everywhere at all times to ensure that. So, a lot depends on all of us, as customers, as patrons at hawker centres to do our part.

Ultimately, the rules are really to support our own health, to support our neighbours' health, our family's health. So, my point is, the Safe Distancing Ambassadors are there to remind people. Very often, we would like to see that with some advice and with some reminders, patrons will put back their masks and the majority of them do. I just want to reiterate that the rules are quite clear. As informed by science, the more we are able to protect ourselves through masks, the safer we are. So, it is advised that everybody put on your mask as much as you can, as soon as you can.

However, the Safe Distancing Ambassadors are there to remind; sometimes to enforce. We hope that reminders will work; if not, then in some cases, after repeated reminders, we may have to enforce. Hopefully, such circumstances will reduce over time. Even as we relax and as more activities are being allowed, I think the wearing of masks is still important for us to observe.