There Might be Free Masks Again As Haze is Projected in Singapore

Remember days when we’d all head to a vending machine to get free masks?

Some of us might be able to relive those days—although it might no longer be from a vending machine.

With an impending haze heading our way, the Government has now prepared free masks for low-income and vulnerable residents.

Here’s what to expect in the next haze.

What the Government is Doing to Prepare for the Haze

The Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Grace Fu, said in Parliament yesterday (5 July 2023) that an inter-agency task force led by the National Environment Agency (NEA) is coordinating and preparing Singapore’s national action plans in preparation for possible transboundary haze.

The task force is planning to buddy up with the People’s Association (PA) to distribute masks to low-income and vulnerable residents in the event of a severe haze episode.

Also, we’re having “haze sanctuaries”.

These could be popping up in public facilities like community centres (CCs) if the haze decides to throw a party. Just think of it as training sheds in NS; these sheltered areas allow people to “hide” from the haze.

Ms Fu warned that global climate phenomena could intensify the upcoming dry season in Singapore and the region, leading to more potential hot spots and an increased risk of transboundary haze. “We expect this year’s dry season to be the hottest and driest since 2019,” she said.

She also shared some of the other measures the Government is taking to brace for possible transboundary haze.

These include working with retail pharmacies to ensure a sufficient stock of N95 masks and equipping all classrooms of primary and secondary schools, Ministry of Education (MOE) kindergartens, and special education schools with air purifiers.

I bet students are all asking for air-conditioners now instead.

And it’s not just about preparing for the haze.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has also advised medical practitioners on how to manage and treat patients with haze-related conditions, and has also advised all public health institutions on capacity mitigating measures, in view of a potential increase in hospital admissions due to haze-related illnesses.

In the meantime, NSmen are probably asking: Still need to take IPPT?