PA, other agencies step up efforts to help the vulnerable

SINGAPORE — Following an initial raft of measures last week to ensure that the vulnerable — such as the elderly living alone — are prepared to deal with the effects of the haze, the People’s Association is stepping up its efforts.

It is setting up distribution points at 108 community centres islandwide to give out N95 masks to the low-income and elderly. These places will be open from 10am to 10pm from today.

Each eligible recipient — including Pioneer Generation cardholders, ComCare clients aged over 62, and Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) Blue cardholders — will be given two masks.

Members of the PA grassroots organisations will also visit residents who are immobile, sick and living alone. Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin also shared on his Facebook page that residents who need respite can go to their local community clubs to use the air-conditioned rooms, and the same will be available at Residents’ Committee centres from today.

Last week, the PA kicked off the distribution of 30,000 WeCare packs to help the vulnerable prepare for the haze. The packs contain an N95 mask as well as items such as instant noodles, biscuits, instant beverages, canned food, Vitamin C tablets, and eye drops.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade and Industry yesterday assured the public that it has a plan in place to ensure there are enough N95 masks for companies here with staff engaged in prolonged or strenuous outdoor work to make bulk purchases, and each company has been allocated a quota.

The ministry has activated its stockpile and assured the public it is prepared to meet requests for replenishment of stocks from retailers Dairy Farm Singapore, NTUC FairPrice, and Unity Healthcare.

Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say said that there will be no national shutdown of businesses, as business activities should be kept going “as normal as possible”, but this should be done without compromising the health and safety of workers.

“Individual employers will have to continue to update their risk assessment and pay particular attention to work that is strenuous and involves prolonged outdoor work. At the same time, they should pay special attention to workers, especially the elderly, pregnant women, as well as workers with heart and lung conditions,” Mr Lim said at a media briefing yesterday.

The Ministry of Manpower advised companies to adopt risk-mitigating measures to make work less strenuous, for example, with the use of mechanical aids, and by scheduling more rest breaks for employees engaged in outdoor work.