NEA warned on Friday that the 24-hour PSI could exceed 200 and enter the Very Unhealthy range, as smoke haze from southern Sumatra and Kalimantan continued to be blown towards Singapore.
Singapore’s Haze Task Force, comprising 28 government agencies, has been convened and a series of measures are ready to be rolled out should air quality deteriorate further.
If the PSI exceeds 200, N95 masks will be distributed to eligible Singaporeans, while air-conditioned haze shelters at community clubs, as well as selected residents’ committee and residents’ network centres, will be set up.
Preschools must stop outdoor and strenuous indoor activities when air quality is Very Unhealthy, while outdoor sporting activities may be modified or suspended. Employers have also been advised to limit outdoor work.
Schools may be closed if the next day’s 24-hour PSI is forecast to exceed 300 and enter the Hazardous range.
Any decision to close schools will be announced by around 8pm the day before through schools and the Ministry of Education’s official channels, Education Minister Desmond Lee said on Saturday.
“We will continue to monitor the situation closely each day and review whether schools should stay open or be closed the next day,” he said in a social media post.
The haze comes as the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix weekend continues at Marina Bay. Organisers have said contingency measures are in place should air quality worsen.