N95 masks for eligible Singaporeans, changes to outdoor activities at schools, preschools if PSI turns 'very unhealthy'

The Government's Haze Task Force (HTF) has been convened amid worsening air quality and forecast that 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) could enter the very unhealthy range.

In a joint statement by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and 28 Government agencies, the task force said the Government is prepared for this scenario.

"HTF agencies stand ready to roll out the next tier of action plans and advisories to protect the health and well-being of the public, especially vulnerable groups including the elderly, pregnant women, children, and those with chronic lung and heart diseases."

N95 mask distribution, haze shelters

As part of its measures, the Government has set aside N95 masks to support Singaporeans who may be more vulnerable to the effects of haze, or who may have limited means of obtaining them.

When PSI enters the very unhealth range, the People's Association's grassroots organisations will begin distributing them to eligible Singaporeans.

In addition, mask vending machines will be made available at selected public transport hubs and social services offices.

Those from the Pioneer Generation, Merdeka Generation; holders of the Community Health Assistance Scheme (CHAS) Blue and Orange cards, and medical fee exemption card; and recipients of ComCare Assistance, are eligible to collect their masks at the said locations.

In addition, pregnant women, children between the ages of seven and 16, and those with medical conditions such as asthma, may collect their masks at People's Association venues.

Air-conditioned rooms in Community Clubs (CCs) and selected Residents’ Committee (RC) and Residents’ Network (RN) Centres will be set up as haze shelters when the PSI enters the very unhealthy range.

Residents may contact their nearest CCs on the operating hours and location of the haze shelter.

Should PSI enter the hazardous range, the opening hours of shelters at CCs will be extended to 10pm.

Preschools and schools

Preschools are required to stop all forms of outdoors activities and strenuous indoor activities when air quality enters the very unhealthy range.

Children with chronic heart and lung conditions will also be exempted from all indoor physical activities.

They will also remain in enclosed and well-ventilated indoor spaces with doors and windows closed, with fans or air conditioners switched on.

Preschools will also prepare at least one enclosed room with air purifier(s) turned on to temporarily accommodate children who may become unwell or develop respiratory problems due to the haze.

Those with conditions such as asthma, heart or respiratory problems will also be required to have their prescribed medication with them, and have their health closely monitored.

Meanwhile, schools will continue with classroom lessons, but modifications will apply where appropriate.

For national examinations, schools have made arrangements for all candidates to take their papers in enclosed spaces, such as classrooms or halls.

Air purifiers will also be provided so that examinations can continue should haze conditions unexpectedly worsen, the agencies said.

According to the Ministry of Education (MOE), it will consider closing schools when the air quality forecast for the next day is in the hazardous range. This occurs when PSI exceeds 300.

Should school closures coincide with national examinations, the affected examination papers will be rescheduled and the examination period extended.

The announcement on the rescheduling of examinations will be made together with the announcement on school closure.

Workplace safety is also a focus when air quality turns unhealthy.

Employers are urged to avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor work for healthy workers.

They should also minimise outdoor work for vulnerable workers, especially the elderly and pregnant women.

Workers with chronic heart and lung conditions should avoid outdoor work.

If prolonged or strenuous outdoor work is not avoidable, and an employer still requires an employee to work due to extenuating circumstances, the employer is strongly urged to provide suitable masks.

Members of the public should note that the health impact of haze is dependent on one’s health status, the PSI level, and the length and intensity of outdoor activity.

They should check the latest one-hour PM2.5 concentration readings before participating in outdoor activities.

When PM2.5 concentration reading is in the high-band, healthy people should avoid strenuous outdoor activity for the next hour, while vulnerable persons should avoid all outdoor activity for the next hour.

由于空气质量恶化，政府已成立雾霾工作组（HTF），并预测 24 小时污染物标准指数（PSI）可能进入非常不健康的范围。

国家环境局 (NEA) 和 28 个政府机构在一份联合声明中表示，政府已为此做好准备。

“HTF 各机构已做好准备，推出下一阶段的行动计划和建议，以保护公众的健康和福祉，特别是包括老年人、孕妇、儿童以及患有慢性肺病和心脏病的弱势群体。”

N95口罩分发，雾霾避难所

作为应对措施的一部分，政府已预留 N95 口罩，以支持那些可能更容易受到雾霾影响或获取口罩途径有限的新加坡人。

当 PSI 指数达到非常不健康的水平时，人民协会的基层组织将开始向符合条件的新加坡人分发这些药品。

此外，还将在指定的公共交通枢纽和社会服务机构提供口罩自动售货机。

属于建国一代、独立一代的人士；持有社区健康援助计划（CHAS）蓝卡和橙卡以及医疗费用豁免卡的人士；以及社区关怀援助的受益人，均有资格在上述地点领取口罩。

此外，孕妇、7至16岁的儿童以及患有哮喘等疾病的人可以在人民协会场所领取口罩。

当 PSI 指数达到非常不健康的范围时，社区俱乐部 (CC) 和选定的居民委员会 (RC) 和居民网络 (RN) 中心的空调房间将被设立为雾霾避难所。

居民可联系就近的社区中心，了解雾霾避难所的开放时间和地点。

如果 PSI 进入危险范围，CC 避难所的开放时间将延长至晚上 10 点。

幼儿园和学校

当空气质量达到非常不健康的程度时，幼儿园必须停止所有形式的户外活动和剧烈的室内活动。

患有慢性心脏和肺部疾病的儿童也将免于参加所有室内体育活动。

他们还将待在封闭且通风良好的室内空间，门窗紧闭，并打开风扇或空调。

幼儿园还将准备至少一间封闭的房间，打开空气净化器，以便暂时安置因雾霾而感到不适或出现呼吸道问题的儿童。

患有哮喘、心脏病或呼吸系统疾病等的人也需要随身携带处方药物，并接受密切的健康状况监测。

与此同时，学校将继续进行课堂授课，但会根据实际情况进行调整。

对于全国性考试，学校已做出安排，让所有考生在封闭空间（如教室或礼堂）参加考试。

相关机构表示，还将提供空气净化器，以便在雾霾情况意外恶化时，考试能够继续进行。

根据教育部规定，当次日空气质量预报显示空气质量达到危险级别时，将考虑停课。这种情况发生在空气污染指数（PSI）超过300时。

如果学校停课与全国性考试同时发生，受影响的考试科目将重新安排考试时间，考试期限也将延长。

考试改期通知将与学校停课通知一并发布。

当空气质量变得不健康时，工作场所安全也是关注的重点。

雇主应避免让健康员工长时间或进行剧烈的户外工作。

他们还应尽量减少弱势劳动者，特别是老年人和孕妇的户外工作。

患有慢性心脏和肺部疾病的工人应避免户外工作。

如果无法避免长时间或高强度的户外工作，并且雇主因特殊情况仍要求雇员工作，则强烈敦促雇主提供合适的口罩。

公众应注意，雾霾对健康的影响取决于个人的健康状况、PSI 值以及户外活动的持续时间和强度。

他们应该在参加户外活动前查看最新的1小时PM2.5浓度读数。

当 PM2.5 浓度读数处于高位时，健康人群应在接下来的一个小时内避免剧烈的户外活动，而易感人群应在接下来的一个小时内避免所有户外活动。