Only 22% of eligible Singaporeans have collected haze masks: Haze Task Force

Only 22 per cent of eligible Singaporeans have collected haze masks from community clubs (CC) and vending machines , the Haze Task Force (HTF) said on Thursday (Oct 22).

This comes after the Government began distributing haze masks to eligible Singaporeans through People's Association, CCs and vending machines since last Wednesday (Oct 14).

A second wave of mask distribution will also take place from Friday .

A possible reason for the low uptake could be that those in need of the masks do not have the capacity to claim them.

Speaking with media on Thursday, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu shared that the Government is aware of people within the community who might not be able to physically collect masks, such as elderly or those with special needs.

"So I'd like to encourage everyone, whether you are volunteers, whether you are neighbours, whether you are business owners or colleagues, please look out for [them]," she said. "Please help them to collect."

She added: "Every one of us can do our part… to support the vulnerable among us."

Singapore has also experienced nearly a week of 'normal' PM2.5 readings since Sunday (Oct 18).

Hourly concentration readings have stayed in the normal to low-elevated bands over the past days after winds turned to blow from the south.

However, the National Environment Agency cautioned on Wednesday evening that the haze may return on Thursday and Friday, citing dry conditions over southern Kalimantan.

Despite the low rate of uptake of masks from CCs and vending machines, some retail stores have also run out of masks, Fu said on Thursday.

The Ministry for Sustainability and Environment (MSE) is working closely with the Ministry of Health to assist retailers with their stock, she explained, adding that FairPrice Group still has supplies.

"We are helping to replenish the stocks at Sheng Siong, Giant and Cold Storage, so no need to panic," the minister said.

"There are always masks available, and we just need to give the retailers some time to replenish their shelves."

AsiaOne has contacted MSE for more information.

khooyihang@asiaone.com

雾霾应对小组（HTF）周四（10月22日）表示，只有22%的符合资格的新加坡人从民众俱乐部（CC）和自动售货机领取了雾霾口罩。

此前，政府从上周三（10 月 14 日）开始通过人民协会、民众俱乐部和自动售货机向符合条件的新加坡人分发防雾霾口罩。

从周五开始，还将进行第二轮口罩发放。

领取率低的一个可能原因是，需要口罩的人没有能力领取。

周四，永续及环境部长傅海燕在接受媒体采访时表示，政府意识到社区中有些人可能无法亲自领取口罩，例如老年人或有特殊需要的人。

“所以我想呼吁大家，无论是志愿者、邻居、企业主还是同事，请多多关照他们，”她说。“请帮助他们收集物品。”

她补充说：“我们每个人都可以尽自己的一份力……来帮助我们当中的弱势群体。”

自周日（10 月 18 日）以来，新加坡的 PM2.5 读数也已连续近一周处于“正常”水平。

过去几天，随着风向转为南风，每小时的浓度读数一直保持在正常或偏低的水平。

然而，国家环境局周三晚间发出警告，由于加里曼丹南部地区天气干燥，周四和周五可能会再次出现雾霾。

傅先生周四表示，尽管民众通过社区中心和自动售货机购买口罩的比例较低，但一些零售商店的口罩也已经售罄。

她解释说，可持续发展与环境部 (MSE) 正与卫生部密切合作，协助零售商补充库存，并补充说，职总平价集团仍有供应。

“我们正在帮助昇菘超市、巨人超市和冷藏超市补充库存，所以大家不必恐慌，”部长说。

“口罩供应一直都很充足，我们只需要给零售商一些时间来补货。”

AsiaOne已联系MSE以获取更多信息。

khooyihang@asiaone.com