N95 masks to be distributed to more vulnerable individuals once 24-hour PSI exceeds 200: Haze Task Force

School closures will be considered when the air quality forecast for the next day exceeds a 24-hour PSI of 300.

The haze as seen from central Bishan on the afternoon of Oct 9, 2026. (Photo: CNA/Marcus Mark Ramos)

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SINGAPORE: The government has set aside N95 masks that will be distributed to more vulnerable individuals when the 24-hour PSI exceeds 200 and enters the very unhealthy range, the government's Haze Task Force said on Friday (Oct 9) night.

Eligible Singaporeans who can collect the masks include members of the Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation, Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) orange and blue cardholders, Medical Fee Exemption Card holders and recipients of ComCare Assistance.

These individuals can collect the masks from vending machines at selected transport hubs, social service offices and People's Association (PA) venues.

Pregnant women, children aged 7 to 16, and individuals with medical conditions such as asthma can also collect masks at PA venues.

CNA Games Guess Word Crack the word, one row at a time Buzzword Create words using the given letters Mini Sudoku Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser Mini Crossword Small grid, big challenge Word Search Spot as many words as you can Show More Show Less Eligible individuals must present their NRICs when collecting the masks, or have a family member or friend collect them on their behalf using their NRIC. The masks will come in packs of two.

Eligible individuals must present their NRICs when collecting the masks, or have a family member or friend collect them on their behalf using their NRIC. The masks will come in packs of two.

The mask distribution is meant to support Singaporeans who may be more vulnerable to the effects of haze or who may have limited means of obtaining N95 masks themselves, said the task force.

The task force added that sufficient stocks of N95 masks remain in retailers' warehouses and government stockpiles, and that it works closely with retailers to ensure their availability.

It said N95 masks are generally not required for short outdoor exposure, such as commuting from home to school or work, and when indoors.

Air-conditioned rooms in community clubs and selected residents' committee and residents' network centres will also be set up as haze shelters when the PSI exceeds 200.

These were among several measures announced by the Haze Task Force, which has been newly convened in preparation for the possibility of the 24-hour PSI exceeding 200.

The task force issued advisories covering areas including health, schools, workplaces, transport and sporting activities on Friday.

"Based on the current situation, it is possible that the 24-hour PSI may exceed 200 and enter the very unhealthy range," it said.

It added that while showers are expected over the weekend, prevailing southeasterly to southwesterly winds may continue to transport smoke haze from southern Sumatra and Kalimantan towards Singapore.

The Haze Task Force is led by the National Environment Agency and comprises 28 government agencies.

POSSIBLE SCHOOL CLOSURES

The Ministry of Education (MOE) will consider closing schools when the air quality forecast for the next day is in the hazardous range with the 24-hour PSI exceeding 300, the task force said.

"In making any decision to close schools, MOE is mindful of the disruptions to families’ care arrangements for their children, and will take into consideration all available information, health advisories and forecasts from the relevant authorities regarding the next day’s haze situation," it added.

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

Any rescheduling of examinations will be announced together with the school closure. School and private candidates will be informed through their schools and the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) respectively.

"If the candidate is unable to sit for or continue with the examination, the candidate’s health must take priority. There are existing procedures for schools to escalate the situation to SEAB for special consideration so that the candidate will not be penalised," said the task force.

O-Level year-end examinations are currently underway for some subjects, with written examinations for core subjects set to start on Oct 19.

Meanwhile, some primary schools have no lessons from Oct 12 to 14, due to the marking exercise for the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE).

HEALTHCARE INSTITUTIONS AND SCHOOLS

Healthcare institutions, including public hospitals, polyclinics and nursing homes, have activated haze preparedness measures, said the task force.

These include using air purifiers, closing the windows in the wards and corridors, and reducing ambient temperature through portable air coolers, where appropriate.

"Given the worsening air quality, community care providers offering residential and centre-based services have been reminded to replace outdoor activities with indoor ones," it said.

In pre-schools, all outdoor activities and strenuous indoor activities must stop when the air quality is in the very unhealthy range, while children with chronic heart and lung conditions will be exempted from all indoor physical activities, said the task force.

"Preschools are required to ensure that all children remain in enclosed and well-ventilated indoor spaces with doors and windows closed, and fans or air conditioners switched on," it said.

"In addition, preschools are to 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 impact of haze.

"Preschools are also required to ensure that children with asthma, heart or respiratory problems have their prescribed medication with them, and to closely monitor the health of all children.

"Should any child exhibit respiratory problems or feel unwell, the preschool is to inform the parents and seek medical attention for the child."

The task force said MOE and schools have plans to ensure the well-being of students and staff during a haze situation.

"All students will be kept in well-ventilated indoor enclosed spaces with air purifiers turned on. Teachers will also be on the lookout for students who are unwell or have pre-existing lung or heart conditions," it said.

"Classroom lessons will continue, but lessons may be modified as appropriate. For instance, students may be assigned work confined to sit-down classroom setting. Outdoor activities will be avoided."

Students and staff who feel unwell will be referred for medical attention, while schools will monitor 1-hour PM2.5 readings throughout the day and adjust activities according to changing conditions.

For national examinations, candidates will take their papers in enclosed spaces such as classrooms or halls, with air purifiers provided to allow examinations to continue if haze conditions worsen unexpectedly.

The health impact of haze depends on an individual's health status, the PSI level, and the length and intensity of outdoor activity, said the Haze Task Force.

"Given the air quality forecast for the next 24 hours, healthy persons should avoid prolonged and strenuous outdoor physical exertion," it said.

"The elderly, pregnant women and children should minimise outdoor activity, while those with chronic lung or heart disease should avoid outdoor activities."

People who feel unwell, particularly the elderly, children and those with chronic heart or lung conditions, should seek medical attention, said the task force.

Air quality in Singapore has worsened in recent weeks. All five regions of Singapore recorded unhealthy air quality levels on Sep 15 - the first time this has happened since September 2019.

On Friday, the 24-hour PSI rose steadily across Singapore through the morning. By 5pm, all five regions were in the unhealthy range, with the central region recording a PSI of 192 - a new high for this year's haze season.

Readings for the 1-hour PM2.5 in the central and west regions moved into and out of the high band multiple times across Thursday night and Friday.

For those planning immediate outdoor activities, NEA advises checking the hourly PM2.5 levels.

The 24-hour PSI forecast and corresponding health advisories should be used when planning outdoor activities for the next day.

When 1-hour PM2.5 levels are elevated, healthy people are advised to reduce strenuous outdoor activity for the next hour, while the elderly, pregnant women, children and people with chronic heart or lung conditions should avoid such activity.

HOME TEAM AND SINGAPORE ARMED FORCES

The task force said the Home Team departments under the Ministry of Home Affairs calibrate the training and outdoor activities of their personnel according to the 24-hour PSI level.

When the 24-hour PSI exceeds 200 or the 1-hour PM2.5 exceeds 150, all physical fitness testing will be suspended and outdoor physical training will be avoided.

Indoor air-conditioned alternatives will be used where possible, while susceptible personnel will be identified and assigned work arrangements that reduced outdoor exposure.

Under similar air quality conditions, the Singapore Armed Forces will adopt additional measures for service personnel performing outdoor duties or physical training activities, as well as those with existing medical conditions that could be aggravated by the haze.

"Prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical activities will be avoided, and outdoor physical fitness tests will be postponed or be conducted indoors, if applicable," said the task force.

"Service personnel with existing medical conditions that could be aggravated by the haze will don the N95 masks when performing essential outdoor duties."

Employers were reminded not to compromise the health and safety of employees, especially those who work outdoors. When the PSI is in the very unhealthy range, healthy employees should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor work. Outdoor work should be minimised for vulnerable workers, especially the elderly and pregnant women, and avoided by those with chronic heart and lung conditions. Employers were advised to use mechanical aids, implement job rotation, schedule indoor rest breaks and ensure adequate hydration. "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," said the task force, pointing to N95 masks and the equivalent. Employers should also closely monitor workers' health and symptoms, and regularly communicate the measures being taken to help them cope with the haze, added the task force. Platform workers exposed to the haze while making outdoor deliveries were similarly advised to follow the measures where possible.

Participants and organisers of sporting activities, as well as sport facility operators, are advised to continuously monitor air quality, adjust their activities and operations accordingly, and conduct risk assessments taking into account relevant health advisories.

"When the 24-hour PSI levels cross into the very unhealthy range, sport organisers and facility owners should consider modifying or suspending activities held outdoors and in non air-conditioned facilities to minimise prolonged exposure," said the task force.

Organisers of sporting activities in air-conditioned venues should review their existing risk assessments before deciding whether to proceed, it added.

"The 1-hour PM2.5 readings are measured across shorter time frames and reflect the prevailing conditions, and may be used to help activity organisers and individuals assess localised conditions and determine appropriate risk mitigation measures on-site, particularly where vulnerable persons are involved."

All ActiveSG Sport Centres are also monitoring haze conditions and will adjust operations based on the 24-hour PSI index and the relevant health advisories, said the task force.

MOTORISTS AND COMMUTERS

Motorists will receive reminders to drive with care and switch on their headlights when visibility is low through the Expressway Monitoring and Advisory System signs and ERP 2.0 On-Board Units.

Tunnel lighting will also be adjusted where necessary to improve visibility, said the task force.

Information about any affected train or bus services can be found on the MyTransport.SG mobile application and the social media pages of public transport operators and the Land Transport Authority.

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如果第二天的空气质量预报显示 24 小时 PSI 值超过 300，则会考虑停课。

2026年10月9日下午，从碧山中心拍摄的雾霾景象。（图片：CNA/Marcus Mark Ramos）

这段音频由人工智能工具生成。

新加坡：政府雾霾应对小组周五（10月9日）晚间表示，政府已预留N95口罩，将在24小时PSI指数超过200并进入非常不健康范围时分发给更易感人群。

符合资格领取口罩的新加坡人包括建国一代和独立一代成员、社区健康援助计划（CHAS）橙色和蓝色卡持有者、医疗费用豁免卡持有者以及社区关怀援助计划（ComCare Assistance）受益人。

这些人可以从指定交通枢纽、社会服务办公室和人民协会（PA）场所的自动售货机领取口罩。

孕妇、7至16岁的儿童以及患有哮喘等疾病的人士也可以在PA场所领取口罩。

CNA游戏 猜词游戏 逐行破解单词 流行词游戏 用给定的字母组成单词 迷你数独 小小谜题，挑战你的脑力 迷你填字游戏 小方格，大挑战 单词搜索 尽可能多地找出单词 显示更多 显示更少 符合资格的人士领取口罩时必须出示身份证，或委托家人或朋友使用身份证代为领取。口罩将以两只为一包发放。

符合资格的人士领取口罩时必须出示身份证，或委托家人或朋友使用身份证代为领取。口罩将以两只为一包发放。

工作组表示，分发口罩旨在帮助那些可能更容易受到雾霾影响或可能难以自行获得 N95 口罩的新加坡人。

工作组补充说，零售商仓库和政府储备中仍有充足的 N95 口罩，并且正在与零售商密切合作，以确保口罩供应。

报告称，短时间的户外活动，例如从家到学校或工作地点的通勤，以及在室内活动时，通常不需要佩戴 N95 口罩。

当 PSI 超过 200 时，社区俱乐部和选定的居民委员会和居民网络中心的空调房间也将设立为雾霾避难所。

以上是雾霾工作组宣布的几项措施之一，该工作组是新成立的，旨在应对 24 小时 PSI 值可能超过 200 的情况。

工作组于周五发布了涵盖健康、学校、工作场所、交通和体育活动等领域的建议。

“根据目前的情况，24 小时 PSI 值有可能超过 200，进入非常不健康的范围，”声明中写道。

声明还补充说，虽然周末预计会有阵雨，但盛行的东南风至西南风可能会继续将苏门答腊南部和加里曼丹的烟霾吹向新加坡。

雾霾防治工作组由国家环境署牵头，由 28 个政府机构组成。

学校可能停课

教育部工作组表示，如果第二天的空气质量预报显示空气质量处于危险范围，24 小时 PSI 值超过 300，教育部将考虑关闭学校。

教育部补充说：“在决定是否关闭学校时，教育部会考虑到这会对家庭照顾孩子的安排造成干扰，并将考虑所有可用的信息、卫生建议以及相关部门对第二天雾霾情况的预测。”

如果学校停课与全国性考试重合，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。

任何考试改期安排将与学校停课通知一并公布。学校考生和自考考生将分别通过各自学校和新加坡考试与评鉴局（SEAB）获知相关信息。

“如果考生无法参加或继续考试，考生的健康必须放在首位。学校有相应的程序将情况上报给新加坡考试与评鉴局（SEAB），以获得特殊考虑，从而避免考生受到处罚。”工作组表示。

O水准期末考试目前部分科目正在进行中，核心科目的笔试将于10月19日开始。

与此同时，由于小学离校考试（PSLE）的阅卷工作，一些小学在 10 月 12 日至 14 日期间停课。

医疗机构和学校

工作组表示，包括公立医院、综合诊所和疗养院在内的医疗机构已经启动了雾霾防范措施。

这些措施包括使用空气净化器、关闭病房和走廊的窗户，以及在适当情况下使用便携式空气冷却器降低环境温度。

“鉴于空气质量恶化，已提醒提供住宿和中心式服务的社区护理机构用室内活动代替户外活动，”声明中写道。

工作组表示，在学前班，当空气质量处于非常不健康水平时，所有户外活动和剧烈的室内活动都必须停止；而患有慢性心脏和肺部疾病的儿童将免于参加所有室内体育活动。

“幼儿园必须确保所有儿童都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。”声明中写道。

“此外，幼儿园应准备至少一间封闭的房间，并开启空气净化器，以便暂时安置因雾霾影响而感到不适或出现呼吸问题的儿童。

“幼儿园还必须确保患有哮喘、心脏病或呼吸系统疾病的儿童随身携带处方药物，并密切监测所有儿童的健康状况。

“如果任何孩子出现呼吸困难或感到不适，幼儿园应通知家长并为孩子寻求医疗救助。”

工作组表示，教育部和学校已制定计划，以确保在雾霾情况下学生和教职员工的福祉。

声明称：“所有学生将被安排在通风良好的室内封闭空间，并开启空气净化器。教师们也会密切关注身体不适或患有肺部或心脏疾病的学生。”

“课堂授课将继续进行，但课程内容可能会根据情况进行调整。例如，学生可能需要在教室里完成课外作业。​​户外活动将避免进行。”

感到身体不适的学生和教职员工将被转介接受医疗护理，学校将全天监测 1 小时 PM2.5 读数，并根据不断变化的情况调整活动。

对于全国性考试，考生将在教室或礼堂等封闭空间内参加考试，并配备空气净化器，以便在雾霾情况意外恶化时能够继续进行考试。

雾霾工作组表示，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。

“鉴于未来24小时的空气质量预报，健康人群应避免长时间剧烈的户外体力活动。”声明中写道。

“老年人、孕妇和儿童应尽量减少户外活动，而患有慢性肺病或心脏病的人应避免户外活动。”

工作组表示，感到身体不适的人，特别是老年人、儿童以及患有慢性心脏或肺部疾病的人，应该寻求医疗救助。

近几周来，新加坡的空气质量恶化。9月15日，新加坡所有五个地区的空气质量均达到不健康水平——这是自2019年9月以来首次出现这种情况。

周五上午，新加坡24小时空气污染指数（PSI）持续攀升。到下午5点，所有五个区域的PSI均已达到不健康水平，其中中部地区的PSI高达192，创下今年雾霾季的新高。

周四晚上和周五，中部和西部地区的 1 小时 PM2.5 读数多次进入和离开高频段。

对于计划立即进行户外活动的人，新加坡国家环境局建议查看每小时的 PM2.5 水平。

在计划第二天的户外活动时，应参考 24 小时 PSI 预报和相应的健康建议。

当 1 小时 PM2.5 水平升高时，建议健康人群在接下来的一个小时内减少剧烈的户外活动，而老年人、孕妇、儿童以及患有慢性心脏或肺部疾病的人应避免此类活动。

内政团队和新加坡武装部队

特别工作组表示，内政部下属的内政团队各部门会根据 24 小时 PSI 等级来调整其人员的训练和户外活动。

当 24 小时 PSI 超过 200 或 1 小时 PM2.5 超过 150 时，所有体能测试将被暂停，户外体能训练将被避免。

尽可能使用室内空调设施，同时识别易感人群，并安排减少户外暴露的工作。

在类似的空气质量条件下，新加坡武装部队将对执行户外任务或体能训练活动的军人，以及那些患有可能因雾霾而加重的疾病的军人采取额外措施。

工作组表示：“应避免长时间或剧烈的户外体育活动，户外体能测试将被推迟或在适用情况下移至室内进行。”

“患有可能因雾霾而加重病情的现有疾病的军人在执行必要的户外任务时，将佩戴N95口罩。”

雇主被提醒不得损害员工的健康和安全，尤其是那些在户外工作的员工。当空气污染指数（PSI）处于非常不健康的范围内时，健康的员工应避免长时间或剧烈的户外工作。应尽量减少弱势群体（尤其是老年人和孕妇）的户外工作，患有慢性心脏和肺部疾病的人也应避免户外工作。建议雇主使用机械辅助设备、实行轮岗制度、安排室内休息时间并确保员工充分饮水。工作组指出：“如果长时间或剧烈的户外工作无法避免，且雇主因特殊情况仍要求员工工作，则强烈建议雇主提供合适的口罩。”工作组还提到N95口罩及同等防护等级的口罩。此外，工作组补充说，雇主还应密切监测员工的健康状况和症状，并定期沟通为帮助员工应对雾霾而采取的措施。同样建议在户外送货时暴露于雾霾的平台工人尽可能遵守相关措施。

建议体育活动的参与者和组织者以及体育设施经营者持续监测空气质量，相应地调整其活动和运营，并根据相关的健康建议进行风险评估。

工作组表示：“当 24 小时 PSI 值达到非常不健康的范围时，体育组织者和设施所有者应考虑修改或暂停在户外和无空调设施中举行的活动，以尽量减少长时间暴露。”

报告还指出，在有空调的场馆举办体育活动的组织者，在决定是否继续进行活动之前，应该审查其现有的风险评估。

“1 小时 PM2.5 读数是在较短的时间范围内测量的，反映了当时的状况，可用于帮助活动组织者和个人评估局部状况，并确定现场适当的风险缓解措施，尤其是在涉及弱势群体的情况下。”

工作组表示，所有 ActiveSG 体育中心都在监测雾霾情况，并将根据 24 小时 PSI 指数和相关健康建议调整运营。

驾车者和通勤者

通过高速公路监控和咨询系统标志和 ERP 2.0 车载单元，驾驶员将收到提醒，在能见度低时谨慎驾驶并打开车头灯。

工作组表示，必要时还将调整隧道照明，以提高能见度。

有关受影响的火车或巴士服务的任何信息，可在 MyTransport.SG 手机应用程序以及公共交通运营商和陆路交通管理局的社交媒体页面上找到。

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