Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Need for Taxi Commuters to Wear Masks to Protect Older Taxi Drivers

Miss Rachel Ong asked the Minister for Transport whether the Ministry will consider requiring taxi commuters to wear masks to protect taxi drivers above the age of 60.

Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran:

1.     The Multi-Ministry Task Force announced that, from 29 August 2022, mask-wearing is not mandatory, except in indoor settings where essential services are carried out in enclosed and crowded areas, which are frequently used by vulnerable persons. These settings include public transport (i.e., public bus and MRT/LRT services, indoor public transport facilities). Mask-wearing is not required on point-to-point (P2P) transport as the nature of P2P trips is different from public bus and MRT/LRT train journeys. For example, P2P trips are usually done with an individual passenger or in small groups.

2.     However, while no longer mandatory, P2P drivers and passengers can continue to wear masks if they choose to, particularly those who are elderly or immunocompromised. Drivers can also continue with measures to safeguard their health and safety, such as winding down the windows when ferrying passengers with flu-like symptoms and regularly disinfecting their vehicles. We urge drivers and passengers to continue to be personally and socially responsible.