Have you noticed a gloomy smoke cover in Singapore?
Yes, the haze is back.
Apart from finding that your eyes are getting dry or your throat is low key scratchy, you may find that you need to clean your nose more often.
On a larger scale, the local authorities are gearing up with measures to combat the haze in the coming days.
Here are some of the measures that they are looking to implement if the situation in Singapore becomes worse.
Health Advisory From the National Environment Agency
Just yesterday morning (7 October 2023), the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) registered in the “unhealthy” range in the east of Singapore.
Then, the readings became worse for other regions in Singapore.
With things looking gloomy for the next few days, the National Environment Agency (NEA) has released an advisory to explain some of the measures in place to protect Singaporeans.
First, taking care of yourself is key.
The NEA advises people to reduce outdoor activities and physical exertion to “help limit the ill effects from haze exposure”.
You should also drink a lot of water to stay hydrated.
Also, if you are of higher risk because of pre-existing diseases, you should make sure your medication is easily accessible in case of an energy.
Seek medical attention if needed, too.
If you expect to be outdoors for a prolonged period of time or are just kiasu kiasi (scared to lose and scared to die), then have an N95 mask handy to filter out those tiny pesky pollutants.
Measures by the Local Health Authorities
Together with people in Singapore taking steps to protect themselves, the Ministry of Health (MOH) is also prepared to deal with any influx of health problems reported.
It has worked with Singapore’s healthcare institutions, such as public hospitals, polyclinics and nursing homes, to prepare more air purifiers and portable air coolers where needed.
Measures for Pre-schools and Students
For the young and schooling, measures are in place as well based on the efforts of the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) and Ministry of Education (MOE).
Pre-schools will have to minimise prolonged outdoor activities and strenuous indoor activities when the air quality is in the “unhealthy” range based on PSI readings.
Air purifiers are also crucial for the well-being of young students who are still in pre-school.
For primary and secondary schools, air purifiers have been added to classrooms of MOE Kindergartens and Special Education schools.
Measures for the Workplace
In the workplace, the Ministry of Manpower advises employers to take necessary mitigation measures when required, such as:
- Reducing the duration of prolonged or strenuous work for healthy employees.
- Minimising prolonged or strenuous outdoor work for vulnerable workers, especially the elderly and pregnant women.
- Avoiding prolonged or strenuous outdoor work for workers with chronic heart and lung conditions
- Using mechanical aids, implementing job rotation, scheduling indoor rest breaks, ensuring adequate hydration etc.
- Providing suitable protective equipment, considering pollutants present in the work environment.
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