Singapore should prepare for prolonged haze until November, says Grace Fu
Expect air quality to fluctuate and possibly reach hazardous levels, the minister adds
Singaporeans should brace themselves for the haze to persist, said Minister for Sustainability and Environment Grace Fu, as conditions are expected to remain poor until late October or early November. The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading in the central region spiked to 229 at 3 pm on Friday, marking the highest level of the year and reaching the "very unhealthy" range.
Fu warned that PSI readings could potentially exceed 300, with the last instance of such high levels occurring in 2015. The north-east monsoon, expected in early December, will bring winds that disperse haze from Sumatra or Kalimantan, reducing its impact on Singapore. Fu assured the public that there are ample mask supplies, with retailers replenishing stocks and the government holding reserves.
Mask vending machines will be fully operational by Friday night. The government may issue another round of mask distribution if necessary. Fu emphasized that the haze episode is not anticipated to be as severe as the Covid-19 pandemic, underlining the government's commitment to maintaining normalcy while safeguarding public health.
Written by urgent.news from The Business Times - Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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