Renowned gaming firm Razer is set to give out up to five million surgical masks for free to every adult Singapore resident aged 16 years and above in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country while encouraging members of the public to practise personal hygiene and safety.
Eligible residents will be able to redeem their masks through the #RazerForLife vending machines that will be deployed islandwide after they register under the company’s mobile wallet app, Razer Pay.
The app will then issue a QR coupon code, which will be valid for three months, for the verified users to be scanned at the vending machines during the collection.
According to Razer, it will be running the beta test from 12 May until 2 June as it aims to perform a “full-scale deployment” after the circuit breaker measures are lifted.
“To ensure a responsible deployment while Circuit Breaker measures are still in effect, we have opted for a beta test which limits the active participation and overcrowding of these vending machines,” said the company.
It added, “We appreciate your patience and kind understanding as we work to ramp up supply and troubleshoot any potential process issues ahead of a full-scale deployment.”
CNA reported that 20 vending machines will be installed nationwide before 1 June, including at all malls under Frasers Property Retail and JustCo co-working.
Residents can now redeem their masks at the vending machine located at Level 1, West Wing of Waterway Point.
With the #RazerForLife vending machines, the company assured that members of the public will have access to surgical masks when they are outside of their homes.
“For example, if anyone has forgotten or misplaced their reusable masks, they will be able to purchase a single use Razer surgical mask anytime from the conveniently located network of vending machines,” it said.
Razer’s Chief Executive Officer Min-Liang Tan also took to his Facebook on Monday (11 May) to acknowledge the company’s current initiative in mask distribution to Singapore residents apart from its previous mask donation effort to countries around the world.
However, Mr Tan stated that he had seen some negativity against their verification process via the Razer Pay app.
He then explained that the verification requirement of Razer Pay app is the only way to ensure there is “no free for all” on the given masks.
“We aren’t the government and have no access to the Identity Cards etc. We’re funding this completely ourselves and would like to ensure there’s no fraud,” Mr Tan remarked.
Earlier in March, Razer announced that will be converting some of its manufacturing lines to produce surgical masks and donate up to 1 million surgical masks to alleviate the masks scarcity around the world due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The company hinted that the triple-layered face masks will be manufactured to meet the highest standards and address issues faced by many face masks in the market – which are not properly manufactured, do not meet proper certifications, and offer little to no protection to the users.
Meanwhile, Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing on Wednesday (6 May) said that Singapore residents are expected to receive new reusable cloth masks from the Government at the end of May.
He highlighted that the new reusable cloth masks would have better bacterial filtration and are more breathable.
Residents can collect the masks at community centres and Residents’ Committee (RC) centres, or from mask vending machines, said Mr Chan, adding that further details will be announced later this month.
