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Singapore to end N95 mask distribution on Saturday as haze abates

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Community shelters and mask collection points will cease operations at 6pm on Saturday following weeks of air quality interventions. The initial initiative was launched early on Oct 14 when 1-hour PM2.5 readings spiked, eventually reaching nearly 30 per cent of eligible residents by late October. Ministry-level workplace advisories will phase out on Nov 7, followed by the conclusion of targeted healthcare subsidy schemes on Nov 12.

Key points

  • Government agencies are systematically deactivating emergency haze mitigation measures as…: Government agencies are systematically deactivating emergency haze mitigation measures as domestic air quality parameters improve.
  • Specialized medical financial relief under the Public Health Preparedness Clinic Scheme w…: Specialized medical financial relief under the Public Health Preparedness Clinic Scheme will officially end on Nov 12.
  • Regional dry spells persist in southern Southeast Asia, leaving open the risk of future t…: Regional dry spells persist in southern Southeast Asia, leaving open the risk of future transboundary haze.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

SINGAPORE: Singapore will cease its haze mitigation measures, including ending its N95 mask distribution to vulnerable Singaporeans on Saturday, said the National Environment Agency on Thursday (Nov 5) amid improving air quality.

Mask collection will conclude at 6pm on Saturday. Air-conditioned rooms at Community Clubs and selected Residents’ Committee (RC) and Residents’ Network (RN) Centres that are designated as haze shelters will also close at the same time.

In addition, the Ministry of Health (MOH) will be deactivating both the Public Health Preparedness Clinic (PHPC) Scheme and the Haze Subsidy Scheme (HSS) from Nov 12.

"With the improvement in air quality conditions, MOM will stand down its haze-related measures for outdoor workers from Nov 7. Employers may resume outdoor work without the additional haze-related precautions," said NEA.

The distribution of N95 masks to vulnerable Singaporeans started on Oct 14, after 1-hour PM2.5 readings climbed into the very high range.

Although the distribution was initially scheduled to begin only when the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) exceeded 200, it was brought forward in response to worsening haze conditions.

The masks were…

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