Why is mask-wearing still required for higher-risk healthcare settings and residential care settings?

The MOH will retain the practice of mask-wearing for higher-risk healthcare settings, including inpatient wards, emergency departments and residential care facilities . These are settings where vulnerable persons, including elderly and immunocompromised, may need to access services, and where the risk of infection is compounded by large crowds and prolonged close contact with others who might be infected. Hence, to protect the vulnerable persons receiving care and the healthcare staff delivering care services at these premises, mask wearing will continue to be required  at these healthcare and community care settings.