Oral Reply to Parliamentary Question on Haze-related (Protecting Public Health)

Questions:

Dr Charlene Chen: To ask the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) what considerations informed the decision to adopt targeted rather than universal free N95 mask distribution during the 2026 haze; (b) whether the Government has established the public health, supply or operational conditions for extending free N95 mask distribution to all residents; and (c) if so, what these conditions are.

Mr Alex Yeo: To ask the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) whether the Ministry monitors indoor PM2.5 levels in public facilities serving vulnerable groups, including eldercare centres, schools and community clubs during periods when the PSI enters the unhealthy range; and (b) whether there are plans to establish minimum indoor air quality standards for such public facilities, especially during periods of prolonged haze.

Ms Lee Hui Ying: To ask the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) whether the Government will extend the use of Climate Vouchers to purchase energy-efficient air purifiers; and (b) if additional measures will be introduced to support lower-income households in purchasing energy-efficient air purifiers.

Ms Elysa Chen: To ask the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment what criteria and evidence determined which groups qualify for free N95 masks during the October 2026 haze.

Mr Lee Hong Chuang: To ask the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) whether the Government is prepared to distribute N95 masks to lower income households and vulnerable Singaporeans, should haze conditions worsen; and (b) if so, what is the threshold at which such support will be provided.

Dr Hamid Razak: To ask the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment whether the Government will consider (i) allowing Climate Vouchers to be used for energy-efficient air purifiers or (ii) providing other targeted support to lower-income households with elderly or medically vulnerable members to obtain air purifiers, during prolonged haze episodes.

Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin: To ask the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) whether the Haze Task Force has assessed the adequacy of indoor air filtration in preschools, malls, healthcare and community care facilities; and (b) what measures are in place to support and protect personnel, including manpower deployment and flexible work arrangements, while ensuring continuity of essential services during prolonged haze.

Mr Fadli Fawzi: To ask the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment why NEA cannot provide 12-hour, 24-hour or 48-hour PM2.5 forecasts, similar to US National Weather Service smoke forecasts, to help Singaporeans plan daily activities during haze.

Ms Lee Hui Ying: To ask the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) what is the latest N95 mask collection rate among eligible vulnerable groups; (b) whether the Government will consider extending distribution to all residents if the haze persists or worsens; and (c) if so, what thresholds will trigger this.

Ms Lee Hui Ying: To ask the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) how the National Environment Agency derives differentiated PSI forecast readings across the five regions based on town areas; (b) whether these forecasts adequately capture localised variations in air quality; and (c) what guidance is provided to residents, schools and employers when forecasts differ between regions.

Mr Lee Hong Chuang: To ask the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) what considerations informed the decision to distribute N95 masks specifically to low-income and vulnerable households rather than all Singapore residents; and (b) given that prolonged haze affects public health across all income levels, whether the Ministry will extend mask distribution or health subsidies to other groups.

Answer:

Mr Speaker, may I address Question Nos 49 to 52 and written Question Nos. 40, 41, 44 and 45 on today’s Order Paper? The response to this question also addresses related Parliamentary Questions filed by MPs Mr Lee Hong Chuang and Dr Hamid Razak for sitting on and after 4 November 2026.

I thank Members for their questions related to protecting our residents from the impact of haze. I will address them in three parts – first, the provision of air-quality information. Second, the targeted distribution of N95 or equivalent masks. Third, measures to maintain indoor air quality.

Air Quality Readings and Forecasts

First, on air quality readings and forecasts. Providing timely and reliable information is an important part of our public health response.

NEA provides a daily PSI forecast to help the public plan activities for the following day. The forecast takes into account the prevailing air quality, local and regional weather conditions, and the regional hotspot and haze situation assessed through satellite imagery.

NEA also provides the latest 1-hour PM2.5 readings by regions, based on the readings from its 23 air quality monitoring stations installed across the country. Residents, schools and employers should use the PSI forecast and corresponding health advisory to plan for next day outdoor activities, and refer to the latest 1-hour local PM2.5 readings when deciding on immediate outdoor activities.

The use of forecast 24-hour PSI for planning and hourly PM2.5 for taking decisions has worked well. We don’t think there is a need to include 12-hour, 24-hour or 48-hour PM2.5 forecasts as having too many indicators may complicate our public messages.

NEA will continue to review how its forecasting and public information services can be enhanced to provide more useful guidance.

Targeted Distribution of N95 or Equivalent Masks

I will next address Members’ questions on masks. N95 or equivalent masks are generally not required when a person is indoors or outdoors for short periods, such as commuting. The more important first response is to reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity, in line with the prevailing health advisory. At certain haze levels, individuals who are more vulnerable to the health effects of haze, or need to spend prolonged periods outdoors, may consider wearing masks to reduce exposure.

The Government prioritises Singaporeans who are more vulnerable to the health effects of haze, or who may have limited means in distributing free N95 masks. This includes seniors, pregnant women, children, individuals with specified medical conditions, holders of Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) Orange and Blue card, those with Medical Fee Exemption Card (MEFC), and those who are on ComCare. This ensures that assistance reaches those who need more support.

We conducted two rounds of mask distribution this year as haze conditions worsened, in line with our plans. For the second round, which commenced on 23 October 2026, we expanded eligibility to all Singaporeans aged 60 and above, lowering the age threshold for seniors from 67, in response to feedback from the public, after ensuring that the more needy people have gotten their masks in the first round. Close to one-third of Singaporeans are eligible under the expanded criteria.

As at 29 October 2026, close to 30% of eligible Singaporeans had collected their masks.

The Government considers the severity and expected duration of the haze, the prevailing public-health risk, as well as the needs of vulnerable groups, when deciding on the activation of mask distribution to eligible groups. In the case of haze, there is no risk of people-to people transmission which would have require all Singaporeans to be masked up as soon as possible.  We will continue to review the scale and eligibility of distribution as conditions evolve, and are prepared to expand support if necessary.

Indoor Air Quality and Household Support

Let me now turn to indoor air quality. Ensuring good indoor air quality is important during haze periods, particularly in facilities serving vulnerable groups.

Indoor air quality is managed through standards, guidelines and advisories, together with sector-specific measures implemented by the relevant premises owners and agencies.

For larger air-conditioned buildings, Singapore Standard SS 554:2026, the Code of Practice for Indoor Air Quality for Air-Conditioned Buildings, provides recommended indoor air-quality parameters and measures. These include enhanced air filtration during haze episodes.

Schools, preschools, healthcare institutions and community care providers also have sector-specific haze response measures. These can include closing windows, deploying air purifiers where needed, adjusting outdoor activities and monitoring vulnerable individuals. This approach allows the relevant agencies and facility operators to deploy proportionate measures suited to the needs of their users.

For personnel supporting essential services, the relevant employers and sectoral agencies implement business-continuity and workplace measures according to operational needs and the severity of the haze.

For households, Climate Vouchers can already be used to purchase eligible DC fans with air-purifying functions. These products can provide households with an additional means of improving air circulation and filtration.