Haze in Singapore: N95 mask collection underway at CCs, vending machines

Distribution of N95 masks for eligible Singaporeans started on Wednesday (Oct 14), after the hourly PM2.5 reading entered the "very high" band in the western region, with PSI forecast to reach the very unhealthy range.

A day after the announcement, mask collection is now well underway at community clubs and designated vending machines located at selected public transport hubs, social service offices and People's Association venues.

AsiaOne visited Ang Mo Kio, Yio Chu Kang and Yishun bus interchanges between 12pm and 3pm.

Stocks at Yishun bus interchange were depleted within an hour of replenishment, running out by 12.20pm.

Despite that, a crew member was present to guide those collecting masks to the next nearest location.

But the situation was better at Ang Mo Kio and Yio Chu Kang bus interchanges, where supplies were generally healthy.

Those queuing for their N95 masks at Ang Mo Kio bus interchange spent an average of 10 minutes in line, with a steady stream of about 30 people in queue.

Anne Lek, 73, told AsiaOne that she waited for about 10 minutes to get a mask.

Bernard Goh, 65, waited for almost the same time, but he said he did not mind the wait as N95 stocks have not been refilled at the shops he visited.

"The process is good. very fast, very efficient. As long as you've got your identity card, you just have to scan the barcode and the pack drops out."

He added that there were staff from the interchange helping out, making the process still efficient, overall.

The Haze Task Force had said in a statement on Wednesday evening that Singapore has sufficient stocks of N95 masks in retailers' warehouses and Government stockpiles.

It explained that N95 masks may be temporarily unavailable at some retail outlets due to increased demand.

"As part of ongoing haze preparedness efforts, the task force is working closely with retailers to replenish stocks and ensure the availability of N95 masks to the public," it stated.

At Kallang Community Club, about 20 people — mostly nearby residents — streamed into the office for collection after doors opened at 10am.

Most of them spent less than a minute to get their masks and were assisted by three staff members at counters.

A staff member told AsiaOne that as the area has older residents, the community club's staff who arrive early will also look out for those already in queue and assist them where possible.

"This helps to reduce their exposure outside," she said.

Speaking to the media at Yuhua Community Club on Wednesday night, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu sought the public's understanding as deployment of haze mask vending machines went into full swing.

Asked about comments by an Indonesian official that the country's forests also supply oxygen to Singapore , Fu stressed that climate issues are global in nature and require collective action.

"As part of the global community, all of us have to work with one another to ensure that we give the best condition to our people," she said.

In Indonesia, Environment Minister Jumhur Hidayat said the intensity of the fires had already started to decline , according to Indonesian news agency Antara.

"Based on discussions with the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the fires could be extinguished in the next few weeks," Jumhur said on Tuesday, according to Antara.

Members of the public are encouraged to check GoWhereHazeMask on the latest stock availability before heading out to collect their masks.

They should also check the latest one-hour PM2.5 before participating in any immediate outdoor activities.

新加坡西部地区每小时 PM2.5 读数进入“非常高”级别，预计 PSI 将达到非常不健康的级别。周三（10 月 14 日），新加坡开始向符合条件的新加坡公民分发 N95 口罩。

公告发布一天后，民众俱乐部和指定公共交通枢纽、社会服务机构和人民协会场所的指定自动售货机已开始发放口罩。

AsiaOne 在中午 12 点至下午 3 点期间参观了宏茂桥、杨厝港和义顺巴士转乘站。

义顺巴士转换站的库存补货后不到一小时就被抢购一空，到下午 12 点 20 分就售罄了。

尽管如此，现场还是有一名工作人员引导领取口罩的人们前往最近的地点。

但宏茂桥和义顺巴士转换站的情况要好一些，那里的物资供应总体充足。

在宏茂桥巴士转换站排队购买 N95 口罩的人平均排队 10 分钟，队伍一直稳定地保持着 30 人左右。

73岁的安妮·莱克告诉AsiaOne，她等了大约10分钟才拿到口罩。

65岁的Bernard Goh也等了差不多同样的时间，但他表示并不介意等待，因为他去的商店里N95口罩还没有补货。

“这个流程很好，非常快捷高效。只要你带着身份证，扫描条形码，包裹就会掉出来。”

他还补充说，换乘站的工作人员也在帮忙，使得整个过程总体上仍然高效。

雾霾应对小组周三晚间发表声明称，新加坡零售商仓库和政府储备中有足够的N95口罩。

声明解释说，由于需求增加，部分零售店可能会暂时缺货N95口罩。

“作为持续开展的雾霾防范工作的一部分，工作组正与零售商密切合作，补充库存，确保公众能够获得 N95 口罩，”声明中写道。

加冷民众俱乐部上午 10 点开门后，大约 20 人（大多是附近的居民）涌入办公室领取物资。

他们中的大多数人不到一分钟就领到了口罩，柜台有三名工作人员为他们提供帮助。

一名工作人员告诉AsiaOne，由于该地区居民年龄较大，社区俱乐部的工作人员如果早到，也会留意那些已经在排队的人，并在可能的情况下为他们提供帮助。

“这有助于减少他们在户外的暴露时间，”她说。

周三晚，永续发展及环境部长傅海燕在裕华民众俱乐部接受媒体采访时，就雾霾口罩自动售货机全面投入使用一事，寻求公众的理解。

当被问及印尼官员关于该国森林也为新加坡提供氧气的言论时，傅海燕强调，气候问题本质上是全球性的，需要集体行动。

“作为全球大家庭的一份子，我们都必须互相合作，确保为我们的人民提供最好的条件，”她说。

据印尼安塔拉通讯社报道，印尼环境部长朱姆胡尔·希达亚特表示，火灾强度已经开始减弱。

据安塔拉通讯社报道，朱姆胡尔周二表示：“根据与国家减灾署（BNPB）的讨论，火灾可能在未来几周内被扑灭。”

我们鼓励公众在前往领取口罩之前，先查看 GoWhereHazeMask 网站上的最新库存情况。

他们还应该在参加任何户外活动前查看最新的1小时PM2.5值。