PA to distribute N95 masks to eligible S’poreans if PSI enters ‘very unhealthy’ range
As the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) inches towards the “very unhealthy” range in Singapore, the authorities are ready to step up its haze response.
To that end, N95 masks will be distributed to eligible Singaporeans if the PSI reading hits 201 and above, said the National Environment Agency (NEA) in a news release on Friday (9 Oct).
Source: Jonathan J. Castellon on Unsplash
PSI of all 5 S’pore regions in ‘unhealthy’ range on 9 Oct
All five regions of Singapore have been in the “unhealthy” range since 2am on Friday morning, according to NEA’s haze microsite.
The central region hit a peak of 192 at 5pm and stayed there till 8pm — the highest yet for this year’s haze season.
Source: www.haze.gov.sg
The “unhealthy” range is a PSI of 101 to 200, while PSI readings of 201 to 300 are considered “very unhealthy”.
The one-hr PM2.5 concentration reading was a maximum of 171 at 2am in the west region — in the “high” band, which ranges from 151 to 250.
Source: www.haze.gov.sg
Haze Task Force stands ready to protect the public
In preparation for the PSI entering the “very unhealthy” range, the Haze Task Force (HTF), comprising 28 government agencies, has been convened.
It stands ready to roll out the “next tier” of action plans and advisories to protect the health and well-being of the public, NEA said.
Vulnerable groups especially in need of protection include the elderly, pregnant women, children, and those with chronic lung and heart diseases.
N95 masks set aside for the vulnerable
N95 masks have been set aside to support the vulnerable and those with limited means to obtain them.
Thus, when the PSI enters the “very unhealthy” range, the People’s Association (PA) grassroots organisations will start distributing the masks to eligible Singaporeans.
Mask vending machines will also be made available at selected public transport hubs and social services offices to complement the distribution.
Source: Coastar RC on Facebook
Singaporeans in the following groups may collect two masks per packet each from the vending machines:
- Pioneer Generation (PG)
- Merdeka Generation (MG)
- CHAS card holders
- Medical Fee Exemption Card (MFEC) holders
- ComCare Assistance recipients
Pregnant women, children aged seven to 16 and those with medical conditions such as asthma may collect the masks at PA venues.
Preschools to stop all outdoor activities
Preschools in Singapore will also have to follow certain protocols if the PSI is in the “very unhealthy” range.
All outdoor activities and strenuous indoor activities must be stopped, and children with chronic heart and lung conditions will be exempted from all indoor physical activities.
Preschools must ensure all children remain in enclosed and well-ventilated indoor spaces with doors and windows closed and fans or air-con switched on. They should also prepare at least one enclosed room with one or more air purifiers for children who may become unwell or develop respiratory problems.
The health of all the children must be closely monitored, and medical attention sought and the parents informed if any child exhibits respiratory problems or feels unwell.
Classroom lessons to continue but may be modified
As for schools, classroom lessons will continue, but may be modified as appropriate. Outdoor activities will be avoided.
All students will be kept in well-ventilated indoor enclosed spaces with air purifiers, while teachers will look out for students who are unwell or have pre-existing conditions.
Schools will monitor the 1-hour PM2.5 readings throughout the day and adjust activities as needed.
The Ministry of Education will consider closing schools only when the PSI is forecast to be in the “hazardous” range the next day, i.e. more than 300.
Source: Gladys Lim on Facebook
PSI forecast to go up to ‘low-very unhealthy’ range in next 24 hours
In what could improve the haze situation somewhat, showers are expected over Singapore and the surrounding region on Saturday (10 Oct) and Sunday (11 Oct), NEA said.
However, the prevailing southeasterly to southwesterly winds may continue to blow the haze from southern Sumatra and Kalimantan towards Singapore.
It noted in its daily haze advisory that many air quality stations in Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Kalimantan and Sumatra were reporting “unhealthy” to “hazardous” levels.
Thus, it predicted that the 24-hour PSI forecast for Singapore would be in the “unhealthy” to “low-very unhealthy” range.
Also read: Why the S’pore 2026 haze is worse & will persist into next year
Why the S’pore 2026 haze is worse & will persist into next year
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Featured image adapted from Jonathan J. Castellon on Unsplash and Gladys Lim on Facebook.
