HPB to cancel outdoor physical activity events if PSI is Unhealthy
On Tuesday (20 Oct), the Health Promotion Board (HPB) released a haze advisory on Facebook.
The government agency mentioned that it would be using the 24-hour Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) forecast from the National Environment Agency (NEA) to plan events for the following day.
Outdoor physical activity events will be cancelled in advance under two conditions: the lower end of the PSI forecast range falls in the Unhealthy band (101-200) or above, and the 1-hour PM2.5 reading for the area is in the Elevated band (56-150 µg/m³) or above.
Otherwise, locals can expect events to proceed as planned. An air quality check will be conducted one hour before starting to ensure everyone is safe.
Source: Health Promotion Board via Facebook
In the advisory, HPB thanked the members of the public for their continued support and understanding, adding: “Your safety remains our priority.”
HPB encouraged citizens to enable notifications on the Healthy365 app to receive the latest updates on any scheduled outdoor events.
Alternatively, they can also check with HPB’s on-ground organisers for more information.
HPB shared an update for 21 Oct
According to a health advisory issued by NEA, when the haze reaches the Elevated or Unhealthy band, healthy persons should reduce strenuous outdoor activities.
Vulnerable individuals are advised to avoid outdoor exertion. This includes children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with chronic lung and heart diseases.
However, those outside of these categories who experience symptoms from short-term exposure, such as throat or eye irritation, are also advised to minimise outdoor activity.
Symptoms are expected to subside after withdrawing from the site of exposure.
Later that day, HPB posted an update stating that all outdoor physical activity events will be cancelled on 21 Oct.
“Based on the 24-hour PSI forecast, air quality is expected to reach the Unhealthy range,” HPB said.
However, indoor events will proceed as scheduled.
Locals encouraged to stay updated
In light of the ongoing haze, the fate of many outdoor activities remained uncertain.
On 15 Oct, ActiveSG first announced the closure of all outdoor and non-air-conditioned sports facilities amid worsening conditions.
On 17 Oct, it later updated that all ActiveSG sports facilities would resume operations as per the hours of their respective locations.
ActiveSG said it would continue to monitor the situation and implement safeguarding measures where necessary.
Source: ActiveSG
Several schools also suspended outdoor activities for students over the week.
On 20 Oct, SAFRA shared on Facebook that it would suspend all outdoor activities and facilities if the haze levels reached the Very Unhealthy range (201 and above).
Citizens have sought ways to engage in exercise while staying safe from the haze. In an Instagram post shared by organiser Joseph Estrella, an indoor event called X-Run Singapore was held in Marina Square on 17 Oct to offer runners an alternative form of exercise.
Source: Instagram via @starkicks_13
Recent haze levels dropped slightly, but still high
As of 21 Oct at 10am, the 24-hour PSI for all regions registered in the Good to Moderate range, except the west and central.
The west had the highest PSI value of 131.
All five regions showed PM 2.5 readings ranging from Normal to Elevated.
This marks a decline from last week, when the PSI peaked at 229 in the central region on 16 Oct.
Netizens have also reported an improvement in visibility, with variations across the regions.
In the meantime, the government has taken measures such as distributing N95 masks to vulnerable individuals nationwide and issuing legal notices towards haze-linked companies.
As the haze evolves, people are encouraged to monitor the latest air quality readings and exercise caution while outdoors.
Source: Newsday
Also read: Ang Mo Kio residents face long queues for N95 mask collection, concerns over haze rise
Ang Mo Kio residents face long queues for N95 mask collection, concerns over haze rise
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Featured image adapted from Health Promotion Board on Facebook (left) and Wikimedia Commons via International Business Times (right).