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Govt rolls out help as haze lingers

SINGAPORE — With the haze that has cloaked Singapore unlikely to let up over the next two days, various government agencies are reviving mitigation plans drawn up during the record-breaking episode of haze in 2013, including the scheme that subsidises medical treatment for haze-related conditions.

Office workers wearing masks pass buildings in the central business district shrouded by haze after a rain shower in Singapore September 15, 2015. Photo: Reuters

Office workers wearing masks pass buildings in the central business district shrouded by haze after a rain shower in Singapore September 15, 2015. Photo: Reuters

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SINGAPORE — With the haze that has cloaked Singapore unlikely to let up over the next two days, various government agencies are reviving mitigation plans drawn up during the record-breaking episode of haze in 2013, including the scheme that subsidises medical treatment for haze-related conditions.

Singapore’s skies are expected to be hazy for the next two days, with fluctuations likely through the day, according to the Meteorological Service Singapore (Met Service).

The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) is likely to be in the unhealthy range for much of today, and may creep into the low end of the “very unhealthy” (201-300) range if denser haze is blown in by unfavourable winds, it said in a media briefing yesterday evening.

Some respite could come on Friday, in time for the Formula One race this weekend. The Met Service said prevailing winds are forecast to blow from the south-east then, leading to an improvement in haze conditions.

But until then, air quality here could deteriorate at some points over the next two days to levels seen on Monday night, when the 24-hour PSI hit 166 at 9pm, and one-hour PM2.5 concentrations hit 341 microgrammes per cubic metre at 8pm. As of 3pm today, the 24-hour PSI was 97 to 117.

Air quality has deteriorated over the past few days because of shifting winds blowing from south and south-west that swept the haze in from Sumatra, said the Met Service. The wind direction was due to the presence of a tropical storm in the South China Sea.

Government agencies including the Education Ministry and People’s Association stand ready to protect the population, assured Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan yesterday. He was hopeful that Singapore’s haze situation this time round will not be as severe as in 2013, when the PSI crossed the 400 mark.

This is because the typhoon in the South China Sea off Vietnam has made landfall and could decrease in intensity, resulting in less westerly or southwesterly winds bringing haze to Singapore, he said. “But it’s a very dynamic situation, we cannot make foolproof, 100 per cent predictions. My key message to Singaporeans is to be ready, to be psychologically prepared, to make use of all the measures and precautions and stockpiles we have in place,” said Dr Balakrishnan after the media briefing.

Under the Haze Subsidy Scheme, those aged 65 and above, those aged 18 and below, as well as the lower-income, will get subsidised treatment for haze-related conditions such as bronchitis and asthma at polyclinics and more than 450 participating clinics. Pioneers pay no more than S$5, other eligible Singaporeans pay no more than S$10, and those on Public Assistance will be fully subsidised.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will today kick off the distribution of 30,000 packs containing items such as instant noodles, N95 masks and Vitamin C tablets to the vulnerable groups such as the elderly living alone or with respiratory conditions. If the haze worsens, the People’s Association will open air-conditioned rooms at community clubs and residents’ committee centres for residents such as students studying for exams.

The Education Ministry assured the public it has sufficient enclosed spaces in schools for students. Primary and secondary schools could be closed if air quality is forecast to reach the hazardous level.

Other measures are outlined on its website.

The Singapore Armed Forces will adjust physical and outdoor activities accordingly when PSI readings exceed 100.

It will issue N95 masks to servicemen performing essential outdoor duties when the 24-hour PSI exceeds the “very unhealthy” range.

The Manpower Ministry said its haze guidelines from 2013 have been updated, with stronger measures for very high haze levels. Should the 24-hour PSI breach 400, workers should use full-face respirators instead of N95 masks when doing prolonged outdoor work, it advised.

It will also look into complaints related to workplace safety and health, such as if crane operations are conducted in low-visibility conditions.

“We expect the employers, who know their own operations best, to take appropriate precautions so that you don’t endanger human life and you don’t risk the health of the employee. In particular, employers need to be aware of which … employees have heart or respiratory problems,” said Dr Balakrishnan, whose ministry is investigating sources of haze for action to be possibly taken under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act.

The Ministry of Defence remains in close contact with the Indonesian authorities and the Singapore Armed Forces “stands ready to support and assist Indonesia when activated”.

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