Singapore haze: 7 takeaways from press conference – from school contingency plans to mask supplies

Singapore has endured nearly two weeks of unhealthy air quality in at least part of the country, with Friday marking six weeks since it recorded its first unhealthy 24-hour PSI reading of the year.

Minister for Education Desmond Lee, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu and Acting Minister for Manpower Jasmin Lau in a press conference about the haze situation on Oct 16, 2026. (Photo: CNA/Wallace Woon)

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SINGAPORE: With air quality worsening and the haze potentially reaching hazardous levels in Singapore, the government on Friday (Oct 16) held its first press conference on the situation, outlining measures to protect residents and tackle the fires contributing to the pollution.

From contingency plans for schools and national examinations to the supply of N95 masks, here are seven key takeaways.

1. Haze could reach hazardous levels and persist for weeks

Singaporeans should be prepared for the haze to continue for some time, with air quality potentially reaching hazardous levels, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu warned.

This is the first time this year that Singapore has warned that the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) could cross 300.

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 The situation remains fluid and will depend on weather conditions, Ms Fu said, adding that the haze could last for another three to four weeks. However, the government expects conditions to improve towards the inter-monsoon period at the end of October or early November, when lighter and more variable winds are less likely to bring haze from Sumatra or Kalimantan. By early December, the northeast monsoon is expected to bring winds that would carry haze from these areas away from Singapore.

The situation remains fluid and will depend on weather conditions, Ms Fu said, adding that the haze could last for another three to four weeks.

However, the government expects conditions to improve towards the inter-monsoon period at the end of October or early November, when lighter and more variable winds are less likely to bring haze from Sumatra or Kalimantan.

By early December, the northeast monsoon is expected to bring winds that would carry haze from these areas away from Singapore.

2. All 37 mask vending machines to be deployed by Friday night

All 37 vending machines distributing free N95 masks to eligible Singaporeans will be deployed by Friday night, Ms Fu said.

Mask distribution began on Oct 14, and all community clubs have also started giving out masks.

About 10 per cent of eligible Singaporeans have collected their masks so far.

Ms Fu assured the public that mask supplies remain sufficient despite temporary shortages at some retail outlets due to increased demand.

Retailers are replenishing their shelves, while the government is working with them to ensure masks remain available.

Another round of mask distribution could be carried out if haze conditions warrant it.

3. Check PSI forecasts before planning activities, PM2.5 readings before heading out

People in Singapore should use both the 24-hour PSI and 1-hour PM2.5 readings to guide their activities, Ms Fu said.

The 24-hour PSI provides a picture of air quality over a longer period and is useful for assessing sustained exposure, while the one-hour PM2.5 reading reflects more immediate conditions.

Ms Fu advised people to refer to the 24-hour PSI forecast when planning activities for the following day, before checking the latest one-hour PM2.5 readings just before going outdoors.

For example, those planning a group run could proceed with their plans if the forecast permits strenuous outdoor activity, but should cancel if PM2.5 readings subsequently rise and air quality deteriorates.

She has also asked the National Environment Agency to make the information clearer on its website and app.

4. Schools may close, but preschools will remain open

If the 24-hour PSI forecast for the following day reaches hazardous levels of 300 and above, the government will strongly encourage parents to keep infants and young children at home.

MOE will also consider closing schools and switching to home-based learning for students from preschool to secondary school.

However, Ministry of Education (MOE) kindergartens, kindergarten care services and preschools licensed by the Early Childhood Development Agency will r emain open to care for children whose parents cannot make alternative arrangements.

School leaders will use one-hour PM2.5 readings to adjust activities during the school day, including restricting outdoor activities.

5. O-Level exams could be rescheduled

O-Level examinations could also be rescheduled if the 24-hour PSI forecast reaches hazardous levels, Education Minister Desmond Lee said.

A-Level examinations are “generally less likely to be affected” because the students are older, he added. Decisions will depend on forecasts and actual conditions.

Both O-Level and A-Level examinations will be held in enclosed, air-conditioned venues with air purifiers operating.

Any rescheduling will be announced by the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board. Students and parents can also refer to updates from MOE’s official channels and Parents Gateway.

Students who are unwell and unable to take or complete the national examinations should obtain a medical certificate and apply for special consideration through their schools.

6. Platform workers should not be penalised for haze-related delays

Platform workers should not face penalties for taking longer to complete deliveries or other jobs during the haze, Acting Minister for Manpower Jasmin Lau said.

Such penalties could include reduced job allocations, pay deductions or those imposed through incentive schemes.

Platform operators have been reminded of their responsibility to protect workers from haze-related health risks.

Ms Lau also said that about a quarter of more than 400 worksites inspected by the Ministry of Manpower since September had fallen short in their haze management plans.

The ministry will issue further guidance on how employers can use one-hour PM2.5 readings to adjust outdoor work activities, including potentially suspending outdoor work for vulnerable workers.

7. Singapore to send haze prevention notices to seven Indonesian companies

Singapore will issue preventive measure notices to seven companies in Indonesia responsible for fires causing the current haze.

The notices, issued under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, will require the companies to deploy firefighting personnel, stop or not start any burning activities on land they own or occupy, and submit plans to extinguish fires and prevent them from recurring.

Ms Fu said fines or charges could also be considered as further steps.

Singapore has also renewed its offer to help Indonesia tackle the fires, including through civilian firefighting assistance and measures such as cloud seeding.

Ms Fu said she contacted her Indonesian counterpart again on Friday but had yet to receive a response.

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新加坡至少部分地区已连续近两周空气质量不佳，周五是该国今年首次记录到不健康的 24 小时 PSI 读数的第六周。

教育部长李智陞、永续及环境部长傅海燕和人力部署理部长刘嘉玲于2026年10月16日就雾霾情况召开记者会。（图片：CNA/Wallace Woon）

这段音频由人工智能工具生成。

新加坡：由于空气质量恶化，新加坡的雾霾可能达到危险水平，政府于周五（10月16日）就此情况举行了首次新闻发布会，概述了保护居民和应对造成污染的火灾的措施。

从学校和国家考试的应急计划到 N95 口罩的供应，以下是七个关键要点。

1. 雾霾可能达到危险级别，并持续数周。

新加坡永续发展及环境部长傅海燕警告说，新加坡人应该做好雾霾持续一段时间的准备，空气质量可能会达到危险水平。

这是新加坡今年首次发出警告，称 24 小时污染物标准指数 (PSI) 可能超过 300。

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 小谜题，脑力挑战 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 傅女士表示，情况仍然瞬息万变，将取决于天气状况，并补充说，雾霾可能还会持续三到四周。不过，政府预计在10月底或11月初的季风间歇期，情况会有所改善，届时风力较弱且变化无常，不太可能将苏门答腊或加里曼丹的雾霾带过来。到12月初，预计东北季风将带来风，把这些地区的雾霾吹离新加坡。

傅女士表示，目前情况仍不稳定，将取决于天气状况，并补充说，雾霾可能会持续三到四周。

不过，政府预计到 10 月底或 11 月初的季风间歇期，情况会有所改善，届时风力较弱且变化无常，不太可能从苏门答腊或加里曼丹带来雾霾。

预计到 12 月初，东北季风将带来强风，把这些地区的雾霾吹离新加坡。

2. 所有37台口罩自动售货机将于周五晚前全部投入使用

傅女士表示，所有37台向符合条件的新加坡人免费发放N95口罩的自动售货机将于周五晚上投入使用。

口罩发放工作于10月14日开始，所有社区俱乐部也都已开始发放口罩。

目前约有10%符合资格的新加坡人领取了口罩。

傅女士向公众保证，尽管由于需求增加，一些零售店出现暂时性口罩短缺，但口罩供应仍然充足。

零售商正在补充货架，政府也正与他们合作，确保口罩供应充足。

如果雾霾情况需要，可以进行另一轮口罩发放。

3. 出行前请查看PSI预报，出发前请查看PM2.5读数

傅女士表示，新加坡民众应该同时参考 24 小时空气污染指数 (PSI) 和 1 小时 PM2.5 读数来指导他们的活动。

24 小时 PSI 值反映了较长时间内的空气质量状况，可用于评估持续暴露情况，而 1 小时 PM2.5 读数则反映了更直接的状况。

傅女士建议人们在计划第二天的活动时参考 24 小时 PSI 预报，然后在外出前查看最新的 1 小时 PM2.5 读数。

例如，计划进行集体跑步的人如果天气预报允许进行剧烈的户外活动，则可以继续他们的计划，但如果 PM2.5 读数随后上升且空气质量恶化，则应取消计划。

她还要求国家环境局在其网站和应用程序上提供更清晰的信息。

4. 学校可能会关闭，但幼儿园将继续开放。

如果第二天的 24 小时 PSI 预报达到危险水平 300 及以上，政府将强烈建议家长让婴幼儿待在家中。

教育部还将考虑关闭学校，让从幼儿园到中学的学生改为居家学习。

然而，教育部幼儿园、幼儿园保育服务机构和幼儿发展局颁发许可证的学前班将继续开放，为那些父母无法做出其他安排的儿童提供照护。

学校领导将利用一小时 PM2.5 读数来调整学校日常活动，包括限制户外活动。

5. O水准考试可能会重新安排时间

教育部长李智陞表示，如果24小时PSI预报达到危险级别，O水准考试也可能会重新安排。

他补充说，A-Level考试“通常受影响的可能性较小”，因为学生年龄较大。最终决定将取决于预测和实际情况。

O水准和A水准考试都将在封闭的、有空调的场馆内举行，并配备空气净化器。

任何考试改期安排都将由新加坡考试与评估局公布。学生和家长也可以参考教育部官方渠道和家长门户网站获取最新消息。

因身体不适而无法参加或完成全国性考试的学生，应取得医疗证明，并通过所在学校申请特殊照顾。

6. 不应因雾霾造成的延误而惩罚站台工作人员

人力部代理部长刘嘉敏表示，在雾霾期间，平台工人不应因送货或其他工作完成时间延长而受到处罚。

此类惩罚措施可能包括减少工作岗位分配、扣除工资或通过激励计划实施的惩罚。

平台运营商已被告知，他们有责任保护工人免受雾霾相关的健康风险。

刘女士还表示，自9月以来，人力部检查的400多个工地中，约有四分之一的工地在雾霾管理计划方面存在不足。

该部门将发布进一步指导意见，说明雇主如何利用一小时 PM2.5 读数来调整户外工作活动，包括可能暂停弱势工人的户外工作。

7. 新加坡将向七家印尼公司发出雾霾防治通知

新加坡将向造成当前雾霾的印尼七家公司发出预防措施通知，这些公司应对火灾负责。

根据《跨境烟霾污染法》发布的通知将要求相关公司部署消防人员，停止或不得在其拥有或占用的土地上进行任何燃烧活动，并提交扑灭火灾和防止火灾再次发生的计划。

傅女士表示，罚款或起诉也可以作为进一步的措施。

新加坡也再次表示愿意帮助印度尼西亚应对火灾，包括提供民用消防援助和人工降雨等措施。

傅女士表示，她周五再次联系了印尼对口官员，但尚未收到回复。

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