Singapore to End Haze Measures and Mask Distribution by Early November
The National Environment Agency announced that mask distribution, haze shelters and the daily PSI forecast will cease on Nov 7, while the haze subsidy scheme ends on Nov 12 as weather conditions improve.
Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA) said most haze-related measures will be discontinued by Nov 7, citing lower risk of transboundary haze due to inter-monsoon conditions and increased rainfall. The agency will stop its daily 24-hour PSI forecast on that date, and the distribution of protective masks will conclude at 6 p.m. on Nov 7. Air-conditioned rooms in community clubs and selected Residents’ Committee and Residents’ Network centres that have served as haze shelters will also close at the same time, and the 28-agency haze task force will be stood down.
The haze subsidy scheme, which began on Oct 12, will cease on Nov 12. Under the scheme, eligible Singapore citizens could receive treatment for haze-related ailments at private general practitioner clinics and polyclinics for a maximum of $10. The Ministry of Health reported that, as of Oct 31, more than 100,000 visits were recorded at participating GP clinics and over 60,000 at polyclinics.
The Ministry of Manpower will also lift haze-related precautions for outdoor workers from Nov 7, allowing employers to resume normal outdoor work, NEA said.
The measures were introduced on Oct 14 after PM2.5 levels rose to very high levels in the western region. Since late Oct, PSI readings have fallen to the moderate range (51-80) and forecasts indicate showers and variable winds will keep haze levels suppressed. While fires continue in Indonesia, the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre reported ongoing hot spots in Kalimantan and Sumatra on Nov 5.