All 37 mask vending machines deployed; 10% of eligible Singaporeans collect N95 masks

Since N95 mask distribution for eligible Singaporeans began on Oct 14 , around 10 per cent of eligible Singaporeans have collected theirs masks, said Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu on Friday (Oct 16).

Outlining haze situation's outlook and the Government's measures to protect residents and tackle, Fu said that the distribution is part of "practical steps" to support those who may be more vulnerable to the effects of haze.

She added that all 37 vending machines were deployed by Friday night, while community clubs have already started their distribution.

"Around 10% of eligible Singaporeans have collected their masks ," the minister said.

And if the haze conditions warrants the need, the Government will carry out another round of mask distribution.

She also assured the public that mask supplies remain sufficient, although some retail outlets may temporarily run out of stock due to higher demand.

"We want to assure Singaporeans that there are sufficient stocks of masks in retailers’ warehouses and government stockpiles," Fu said, adding that retailers are continuously replenishing their shelves at the stores.

Meanwhile, the Haze Task Force is working closely with retailers to ensure the availability of masks to the public, she said.

When AsiaOne visited haze mask vending machines at Ang Mo Kio, Toa Payoh and Yio Chu Kang and Yishun between Thursday and Friday, queues at times stretched to 30 people, with waiting times averaging about 10 minutes.

However, queues moved faster when staff members were available to help residents collect their masks.

At community clubs in the central region, queues with brisk, with most residents spending between one and two minutes to complete their collection.

Who are eligible to collect masks?

Those from the Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation; holders of the Community Health Assistance Scheme (CHAS) Blue and Orange cards and Medical Fee Exemption Cards (MFEC); and recipients of ComCare Assistance are eligible to collect their masks at Community Clubs or designated vending machines located at selected public transport hubs, Social Service Offices and People's Association venues.

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 Community Clubs.

Where are the collection venues?

The 37 haze mask vending machines can be found at selected public transport hubs and social services offices.

Meanwhile, community clubs are also designated collection venues.

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..

Who should wear a mask and when?

When PM2.5 concentration readings are in the high band, healthy persons should avoid strenuous outdoor activity for the next hour, while vulnerable persons should avoid all outdoor activity for the next hour.

Those who are vulnerable may also wear to a N95 mask to reduce exposure.

According to a Ministry of Health advisory, members of the public generally do not need to wear N95 masks when commuting to work, school or while indoors.

Instead, reducing outdoor activities and physical exertion can help limit an individual's exposure to haze particles.

However, those who need to spend several hours outdoors when PM2.5 levels are high or very high may consider wearing a well-fitted N95 mask or its equivalent , depending on their health condition and air quality at the time.

Healthy individuals may reduce their exposure by wearing a well-fitted N95 mask or its equivalent when heading outdoors for immediate activities when the one-hour PM2.5 reading reaches Band 4 (very high).

Meanwhile, vulnerable persons such as the elderly, pregnant women and individuals with chronic heart or lung disease may do so when the one-hour PM2.5 reading is in Band 3 (high).

Those with severe lung or heart problems, and those who have difficulty breathing at rest or on exertion should consult their doctor before using an N95 mask or its equivalent.

The ministry also advised those with existing chronic heart and lung conditions to ensure that medications are on hand and readily available.

Anyone who feels discomfort when using an N95 mask or its equivalent should take a break from using it.

Can N95 masks be reused?

Those wondering if N95 masks used for such purposes can be reused after short commutes to transport nodes or eateries, Dr Leong Hoe Nam, infectious disease specialist at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, said that N95 masks can be used for one to two days, provided it remains in good condition.

For hygiene purposes, he recommended storing each used mask inside a sealed Ziploc bag, ideally keeping them dry with a desiccant.

Before reusing the mask, Dr Leong said users should also examine the mask and check for signs of damage, such as frayed edges or holes.

They should then do a "seal check" by gently exhaling to feel for air leaks around the edges, or inhaling to check whether the mask draws inwards towards their face.

If there is a leak, users will feel "a gush at the site of the leak" during exhalation, said Dr Leong.

If it passes the test, he advised users to "keep the mask and keep using" it.

新加坡永续发展及环境部长傅海燕（Grace Fu）周五（10月16日）表示，自10月14日开始向符合资格的新加坡人分发N95口罩以来，约有10%的符合资格的新加坡人领取了口罩。

傅海燕在概述雾霾形势展望和政府保护居民及应对措施时表示，此次分发物资是“切实可行的步骤”的一部分，旨在支持那些可能更容易受到雾霾影响的人。

她补充说，截至周五晚上，所有 37 台自动售货机都已部署完毕，而社区俱乐部也已经开始分发物资。

部长表示：“约有10%符合资格的新加坡人已经领取了口罩。”

如果雾霾情况需要，政府将再次发放口罩。

她还向公众保证，口罩供应仍然充足，尽管由于需求量大，一些零售店可能会暂时出现缺货的情况。

傅先生表示：“我们想向新加坡民众保证，零售商的仓库和政府储备中口罩库存充足。”他还补充说，零售商正在不断补充商店货架上的口罩。

她表示，与此同时，雾霾应对工作组正与零售商密切合作，以确保公众能够买到口罩。

AsiaOne 于周四至周五期间走访了宏茂桥、大巴窑、义顺和义顺的防雾霾口罩自动售货机，发现有时排队人数高达 30 人，平均等待时间约为 10 分钟。

但是，当有工作人员帮助居民领取口罩时，队伍移动得更快。

在中部地区的社区俱乐部，排队的人很多，大多数居民只需一到两分钟即可完成领取。

哪些人有资格领取口罩？

建国一代和独立一代人士；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（MFEC）的人士；以及社区关怀援助的受益人，均可在民众俱乐部或指定公共交通枢纽、社会服务办事处和人民协会场所的指定自动售货机领取口罩。

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社区俱乐部领取口罩。

收集地点在哪里？

37 台防雾霾口罩自动售货机可在指定的公共交通枢纽和社会服务机构找到。

同时，社区俱乐部也被指定为募捐点。

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。

哪些人应该戴口罩？何时应该戴口罩？

当 PM2.5 浓度读数处于较高水平时，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。

易感人群也可以佩戴N95口罩以减少感染风险。

根据卫生部的建议，公众在上下班、上学或在室内时一般不需要佩戴 N95 口罩。

相反，减少户外活动和体力消耗可以帮助限制个人接触雾霾颗粒。

然而，当 PM2.5 浓度较高或非常高时，需要在户外待上几个小时的人可以考虑佩戴合适的 N95 口罩或同等防护口罩，具体取决于他们的健康状况和当时的空气质量。

健康人群在户外进行紧急活动时，如果一小时 PM2.5 读数达到 4 级（非常高），则可以通过佩戴贴合良好的 N95 口罩或同等口罩来减少接触。

同时，老年人、孕妇和患有慢性心脏病或肺病的弱势群体可以在一小时 PM2.5 读数处于 3 级（高）时这样做。

患有严重肺部或心脏疾病的人，以及在休息或运动时呼吸困难的人，在使用 N95 口罩或同等防护用品之前，应咨询医生。

该部门还建议患有慢性心脏和肺部疾病的人确保手头备有药物，并能随时取用。

任何人在使用N95口罩或同等防护口罩时感到不适，都应该暂停使用。

N95口罩可以重复使用吗？

有人想知道，用于短途通勤到交通枢纽或餐馆后，N95 口罩是否可以重复使用。伊丽莎白诺维娜医院传染病专家梁浩南医生表示，只要口罩保持良好状态，N95 口罩可以使用一到两天。

出于卫生考虑，他建议将每个用过的口罩存放在密封的 Ziploc 袋中，最好用干燥剂保持干燥。

梁医生表示，在使用口罩之前，使用者还应该检查口罩，查看是否有破损迹象，例如边缘磨损或有孔洞。

然后，他们应该通过轻轻呼气来感受面罩边缘是否有漏气，或者通过吸气来检查面罩是否向内贴合面部，从而进行“密封性检查”。

梁医生说，如果发生泄漏，用户在呼气时会感觉到“泄漏部位有一股液体涌出”。

如果通过测试，他建议用户“保留口罩并继续使用”。