Air quality unhealthy across Singapore amid sustained haze
Subsidised treatments for haze-related conditions took effect at Public Health Preparedness Clinics and polyclinics on Oct 12.
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SINGAPORE: Air quality in all five regions of Singapore remained in the unhealthy range on Monday (Oct 12), though 1-hour PM2.5 levels have fallen back into the normal range in the north.
The 24-hour Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) readings ranged from 103 to 147 at 11am - all within the unhealthy range.
Hourly PM2.5 levels were elevated in all regions except the north, which recorded a reading of 53. Readings across the other regions ranged from 82 to 110.
In its Monday morning advisory, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said widespread hotspots were detected in Kalimantan and Sumatra, while moderate to dense transboundary smoke haze was observed over Singapore.
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"While showers may bring some improvement to the hotspot and smoke haze situation, there is still a risk of transboundary haze occurrence, especially over areas experiencing prolonged dry conditions," NEA said.
The 24-hour PSI for Singapore was forecast to be in the unhealthy range.
On Monday, subsidised treatments for haze-related conditions came into effect at Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs) and polyclinics.
This comes after an announcement by Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, who said that all Singaporeans will be eligible for subsidies at polyclinics, while eligibility at participating PHPCs will be limited to certain groups, including children and seniors.
On Friday night, the government's Haze Task Force announced that N95 masks will be distributed to more vulnerable individuals when the 24-hour PSI exceeds 200 and enters the very unhealthy range.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) will consider closing schools when the air quality forecast for the next day is in the hazardous range, with the 24-hour PSI exceeding 300, the task force said.
If school closures coincide with national examinations, the affected examination papers will be rescheduled and the examination period extended.
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