MOE: N95 Masks Don’t Have To Be Worn In School; But Students Can Choose To

Unless you happen to be a certain Patrick Star who lives under a rock, you would’ve noticed that the haze is back.

And with a vengeance. For the past few days, the PSI levels have been hovering around the unhealthy range.

In fact, our little red dot is starting to look like a scene from a dystopian film. Luckily, we have our very own saving grace: the N95 mask, our trusty tool to battle evil haze.

Recently though, a parent took to Facebook to say that her child’s primary school reportedly didn’t let her wear an N95 mask to school.

Blasphemy. How else are we expected to battle this soul-sucking haze.

Hold your horses, before you dial the MOE hotline, let me clarify:

MOE Assures Parents That Students Can Wear Masks In School

MOE has clarified that students are indeed allowed to wear masks in school due to the haze.

Phew. Honestly, I don’t see the issue with wearing a mask or two at school, other than the fact that it might be a little uncomfortable for the kids.

But the main question is, is it even necessary to?

MOE: N95 Masks Not Necessary With Measures Put In Place By Schools

The answer, according to MOE is no. They’ve assured parents that wearing a mask isn’t necessary as measures will be taken should the haze worsen.

A MOE spokesman said that all primary school, secondary school and special education classrooms are fitted with air purifiers. These will be turned on when the haze situation worsens.

“Masks are not necessary, even for examinations which are all conducted in enclosed indoor spaces with air purifiers.”

Nevertheless, students can still opt to wear a mask in school.

Double protection, amirite?

Do We Need Masks For Short-Term Exposure To Haze?

But wait, what about when kids are travelling to and from school? Won’t they be exposed to the haze? Should we just shut down schools altogether, you know, for health reasons?

Whoa, that escalated quickly. And sadly, no schools won’t be shut down, unless the PSI hits above 300, which would be in the hazardous range.

As for the topic of N95 masks, according to MOE, masks aren’t necessary for short-term exposure.

That said, do take these precautions:

• Minimise prolonged or outdoor physical exertion when the air quality is in the unhealthy range. (PSI 101 to 200)
• Avoid outdoor activity when air quality is in the very unhealthy range (201 to 300)

Don’t forget to regularly check the PSI levels here, and stay safe!