Haze worsens as PSI reaches very unhealthy levels in 3 Singapore regions; afternoon thundery showers expected新加坡三个地区的空气污染指数（PSI）达到非常不健康水平，雾霾加剧；预计午后将有雷阵雨。
For the first time this year, air quality in three regions is in the very unhealthy range, concurrently. At 10am on Friday (Oct 16), 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) readings in the central, eastern and western regions are 226, 202, and 201 respectively. Elsewhere, PSI in northern and southern Singapore is in the unhealthy range.Readings of between 201 to 300...
For the first time this year, air quality in three regions is in the very unhealthy range, concurrently.
At 10am on Friday (Oct 16), 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) readings in the central, eastern and western regions are 226, 202, and 201 respectively.
Elsewhere, PSI in northern and southern Singapore is in the unhealthy range.
Readings of between 201 to 300 are in the very unhealthy range.
Meanwhile, one-hour PM2.5 is in the elevated to high-band across Singapore, with the highest concentration reading of 164µg/m3 recorded in the central region.
In a 6.30am update posted on its website, Sport Singapore said that outdoor and non-aircon ActiveSG facilities in the eastern and central regions have been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure.
But its facilities in the northern, southern, and western regions; and, indoor and air-conditioned facilities in the eastern and central areas remain open.
The latest list of facilities temporarily closed due to the haze can be found on the ActiveSG Circle website .
Singaporeans who are collecting their N95 masks can use the HazeMaskGoWhere website for more information on the eligibility criteria, collection locations and live updates on mask availability at the vending machines.
PSI and weather forecast
According to the Meteorological Service Singapore, thundery showers are forecast mainly over northern, western and central Singapore in the afternoon.
But the National Environment Agency (NEA) said in its daily haze situation update on Thursday evening that the country’s 24-hour PSI forecast for today is still expected to be in the unhealthy to low-very unhealthy range.
This, the agency said, is due to dry conditions in southern Sumatra and parts of Kalimantan.
"With the winds forecast to be east-southeasterly or south-easterly, smoke haze is likely to continue to be carried from Kalimantan towards Singapore," NEA explained.
However, there could be hopes for cleaner air over the weekend, with more showers forecast over Singapore and parts of Kalimantan, NEA said.
With prevailing winds shifting to blow from southeast or south, the transport of smoke haze from Kalimantan to Singapore could be reduced.
Some haze from Sumatra, however, may still drift towards Singapore, NEA cautioned.
Feeling unwell from the haze?
With the Haze Subsidy Scheme (HSS) , eligible Singapore citizens under public assistance will enjoy fully-subsidised care, while seniors who are from the Pioneer and Merdeka generations will pay no more than $5.
Other groups of eligible Singaporeans will have their fees capped at $10.
The following groups of Singapore citizens are eligible for the subsidy at Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs):
Children aged 18 and below.
Elderly aged 65 and above.
Individuals who are on public assistance, Pioneer Generation, Merdeka Generation, Community Health Assist Scheme's (CHAS) blue and orange cardholders, and medical fee exemption card.
"With the activation of the PHPC and HSS, participating general practitioner (GP) clinics and all polyclinics can provide children, the elderly, and lower- to middle-income Singaporeans with affordable care for haze-related conditions," MOH said in a statement last week.
Members of the public should check the latest PM2.5 readings before participating in any immediate outdoor activities.
When concentration readings are in the high band, healthy persons should reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion, while the elderly, pregnant women and children should minimise such activities.
Those with chronic lung or heart disease should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion.
今年首次出现三个地区的空气质量同时处于非常不健康水平的情况。
10月16日（星期五）上午10点，中部、东部和西部地区的24小时污染物标准指数（PSI）读数分别为226、202和201。
新加坡北部和南部其他地区的PSI指数均处于不健康范围。
读数在 201 到 300 之间属于非常不健康的范围。
与此同时，新加坡全境一小时 PM2.5 浓度处于较高水平，中部地区记录到的最高浓度读数为 164µg/m3。
新加坡体育理事会在其网站上发布的早上 6 点 30 分的更新中表示，作为预防措施，东部和中部地区的室外和非空调 ActiveSG 设施已暂时关闭。
但其位于北部、南部和西部地区的设施；以及东部和中部地区的室内和空调设施仍然开放。
因雾霾暂时关闭的最新设施名单可在ActiveSG Circle网站上找到。
新加坡民众领取 N95 口罩时，可访问 HazeMaskGoWhere 网站，了解领取资格标准、领取地点以及自动售货机口罩供应情况的实时更新信息。
气压和天气预报
新加坡气象局预报，下午新加坡北部、西部和中部地区将主要出现雷阵雨。
但国家环境局（NEA）在周四晚间发布的每日雾霾情况更新中表示，该国今日的 24 小时空气污染指数（PSI）预计仍将处于不健康至轻微至非常不健康的范围内。
该机构表示，这是由于苏门答腊南部和加里曼丹部分地区干旱造成的。
“预计风向为东南偏东风或东南风，烟雾可能会继续从加里曼丹吹向新加坡，”国家环境局解释说。
不过，新加坡国家环境局表示，周末空气质量有望改善，预计新加坡和加里曼丹部分地区将有更多降雨。
随着盛行风向转为东南风或南风，加里曼丹岛的烟霾向新加坡的输送可能会减少。
不过，新加坡国家环境局警告说，来自苏门答腊岛的一些雾霾可能仍会飘向新加坡。
雾霾让你感觉不舒服吗？
根据“雾霾补贴计划”（HSS），符合条件的领取公共援助的新加坡公民将享受全额补贴的护理，而建国一代和独立一代的老年人只需支付不超过 5 新元的费用。
其他符合条件的新加坡公民的费用上限为 10 美元。
以下新加坡公民群体有资格在公共卫生应急诊所（PHPC）获得补贴：
18岁及以下儿童。
65岁及以上的老年人。
领取公共援助金的人士、建国一代、独立一代、社区健康援助计划（CHAS）蓝卡和橙卡持有者以及医疗费用豁免卡持有者。
卫生部上周在一份声明中表示：“随着PHPC和HSS的启动，参与的全科医生诊所和所有综合诊所可以为儿童、老年人和中低收入新加坡人提供负担得起的与雾霾相关的疾病治疗。”
公众在参加任何户外活动前，应查看最新的 PM2.5 读数。
当浓度读数处于较高水平时，健康人应减少长时间或剧烈的户外体力活动，而老年人、孕妇和儿童应尽量减少此类活动。
患有慢性肺病或心脏病的人应避免长时间或剧烈的户外体力活动。