As air quality improves, N95 mask distribution ends in Singapore on Nov 7

SINGAPORE: The National Environment Agency (NEA) announced on Thursday (Nov 5) that with the improvement of the haze situation in Singapore, mitigation measures will cease, including the distribution of free N95 masks.

There was haze in Singapore from Sept 4 to Oct 25. During this time, the air quality was in the unhealthy range for 33 days and in the unhealthy range for five days.

Since Oct 26, however, the situation in Singapore has improved due to inter-monsoon conditions and more rain showers, and NEA noted that the hotspot and haze situation in the region has also improved.

For the coming weekend, showers and variable winds over Singapore and the surrounding region should keep the haze situation suppressed, the agency added.

Therefore, with the risk of transboundary haze expected to be low, Government agencies will be ceasing haze mitigation measures on Saturday (Nov 7), with the NEA issuing its last haze situation update for the haze season. The inter-agency Haze Task Force will also stand down.

At 6:00 p.m. on that day, the distribution of N95 or equivalent masks through People’s Association (PA) Community Clubs and vending machines at selected public transport hubs, Social Service Offices, and PA venues will conclude.

At the same time, the air-conditioned rooms at CCs and selected Residents’ Committee and Residents’ Network Centres designated as haze shelters will also close.

Additionally, the Ministry of Manpower will stand down haze-related measures for outdoor workers from that date, and employers may resume outdoor work without additional haze-related precautions. 

On the health front, the Public Health Preparedness Clinic Scheme and the Haze Subsidy Scheme will be deactivated by the Ministry of Health from Thursday, Nov 12.

“For immediate outdoor activities, please check the 1-hr PM2.5 concentration readings and personal guide on our haze microsite (www.haze.gov.sg) or mobile app (myENV),” NEA added.

Updates may be found at the haze microsite, the NEA website, the MSS website, the myENV app, or the NEA Facebook page. Information on regional hotspots may be found on the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) website. /TISG

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