Haze shelters to open, N95 masks to be distributed amid worsening haze

SINGAPORE – Amid the worsening haze situation in Singapore, masks will be distributed to vulnerable Singaporeans from Oct 14, and air-conditioned rooms in community clubs and some Residents’ Committee centres will open for residents to seek respite in.

The People’s Association (PA) grassroots organisations will start distributing N95 masks to eligible Singaporeans, including seniors, pregnant women, children and teenagers, and people with medical conditions such as asthma.

To complement PA’s distribution, mask vending machines will also be made available at 37 public transport hubs and social services’ offices.

These measures were activated after air quality worsened, with a spike in the dominant haze pollutant, PM2.5, in the afternoon of Oct 14. The PM2.5 reading soared to the very high range of 284 in the west, with the central, east and south in the high range.

“Given that PM2.5 levels have reached the very high range and taking into consideration the possibility that the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) may enter the Very Unhealthy range, the Government has commenced the distribution of masks, said the National Environment Agency (NEA) in a statement on Oct 14.

Each eligible person can receive a pair of masks after showing their NRICs. They may also ask a family member or friend to collect the masks on their behalf using the eligible person’s NRIC.

Those eligible to collect the masks include:

• Pioneer Generation

• Merdeka Generation

• CHAS Orange card holder

• CHAS Blue card holder

• Medical Fee Exemption Card (MFEC) holder

• Recipients of ComCare Assistance

• Pregnant women

• Children between seven and 16 years old

• People with medical conditions like asthma

Expectant mothers, children and those with medical conditions may collect masks only at PA venues such as community clubs.

The PA offices and vending machine locations are found at go.gov.sg/hazemask

“N95 masks will be made available progressively at the designated collection points and may not be immediately available at all locations,” said NEA.

“The vending machines are being progressively deployed across the island from this evening and stocks at all collection points will be replenished progressively and regularly.”

Air-conditioned rooms in community clubs, and selected Residents’ Committee and Residents’ Network Centres, have also been set up as haze shelters for the public to seek respite in.

If the 24-hour PSI enters the hazardous range of above 300, the haze shelter opening hours will be extended to 10pm.

Dense smoke haze from fires in Kalimantan was observed to drift towards Singapore, and smoke haze was also observed over Sumatra, said NEA.

“The dense smoke haze is expected to continue drifting towards Singapore overnight and tomorrow,” the agency added.

The 24-hour PSI for Singapore is forecast to be in the Unhealthy to the Very Unhealthy range of above 200 on Oct 15.