SINGAPORE — Responding to media queries on why hospitals will stop selling N95 masks once their existing stock runs out, the Ministry of Health’s Director of Epidemiology and Disease Lyn James explained yesterday that hospitals did not usually sell masks before the haze crisis but stepped in to alleviate the urgent demand last week because they had some stock available.

With the mask situation under control, Dr James said that the hospitals should focus on their core business of providing healthcare.

Speaking at the daily briefing on the haze situation, she said: “It was just to ensure that people can have some access to masks while the retailers built up their supply.”

On whether schools are set to resume lessons on Monday, following the end of the school holidays, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources Deputy Secretary (Planning) Tan Gee Keow reiterated that there were no plans for schools “not to reopen” if the Pollutant Standards Index remains in the current moderate range.

She noted that the Ministry of Education is “keeping in touch” with all the relevant agencies and will be ready to “kick in certain plans” should the situation change.

Dr James also noted that “short-term exposure” such as travelling to school during hazy conditions should not pose a problem for healthy children. WOO SIAN BOON