SINGAPORE — When the haze hit hazardous levels two weeks ago, air-conditioned rooms for staff training, karaoke and client rehabilitation at a daycare centre in Dakota Crescent were converted into temporary activity areas.

Hydration for the centre’s 42 seniors was also stepped up, with barley and chrysanthemum drinks offered to those who needed them. In addition, staff were told to keep an eye out for those who were likely to be vulnerable to health problems due to the haze.

These were among the new operating procedures introduced by the staff at NTUC Eldercare Silver Circle daycare centres for the “well-being and health” of its elderly clients, said the chain’s Daycare Manager Caymania Low. NTUC Eldercare operates eight daycare centres here.

Parliamentary Secretary (Health) Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, who was briefed yesterday about the centre’s haze plans, told reporters that he felt “reassured” by the measures the facility has introduced.

“When things get bad, they will also have facilities that will be able to meet needs. For example, they have air-conditioned rooms — karaoke rooms and other rooms — that can be used for refuge,” he said.

Assoc Prof Faishal was also impressed by the fact that a few of the elderly he had spoken to “could continue their activities even when the (Pollutant Standards Index) level was high”.

He reassured Singaporeans that “there are plans in place to take care of the elderly, the frail and those in the eldercare centres”. KENNETH LOW