Vending machines give out free sanitisers

HAND sanitiser vending machines said to be the first of their kind in the world went into action across the country.

Every household in Singapore is allowed to collect 500ml of zeroalcohol cleanser for free.

Retiree Liong Lai Fong, 79, visited Block 565, Choa Chu Kang Street 52 to pick hers up.

“I came to collect the hand sanitiser today because it was written on the utilities bill,” she said.

The Temasek Foundation initiative – the second of its kind – uses machines that mix sanitiser concentrate with clean water and dispense the ready-to-use product into reusuable bottles.

The vending machines were designed by the foundation, which said that they were the first in the world to automate the entire process.

A spokesperson said the zeroalcohol sanitiser being distributed had a new formulation with a higher concentration of benzalkonium chloride, which is recognised by the National Environment Agency as being effective against coronaviruses.

Dr Somika Bhatnagar, head of plant transformation and tissue culture at Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, said it is as effective as hand sanitiser with ethanol but also non-toxic, non-flammable and gentle on the skin.

“You can also use it for cleaning surfaces,” she said.

“It does not cause skin irritation.” The sanitiser is available to residents from the vending machines at Temasek Shophouse and all 108 Community Centres or Clubs (CCs) islandwide until April 25.

MP Alex Yam, Mayor of North West District, said at the launch that the machines would ensure highquality hand sanitiser is being used and allow PA volunteers to be redeployed to help with the vaccination programme and TraceTogether.

“I’m very encouraged that residents are quite used to the system now. Whether it’s mask collection or sanitisers, they know what to bring and where to go, and I think that’s quite helpful for all of us,” he added.