SINGAPORE — Children are advised to avoid outdoor activity if Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) readings exceed 200 to “Very Unhealthy” levels, as the available N95 masks are not suitable for them, the Ministry of Health (MOH) reiterated yesterday.

At a press conference on the mitigation measures for schools, Ministry of Education Deputy Secretary (Services Wing) Mimi Choong said that schools will not be giving out masks to students. Nonetheless, the MOE has a stockpile of N95 masks that will be deployed “when we assess it to be necessary,” said Dr Choong, adding that there is a “small stockpile” of the masks in every school.

“What we can do (for the younger children) is to use the surgical mask, it will give them some comfort and reduce the irritation of the haze particles but older children in upper secondary can use (N95 masks),” said MOH Deputy Director of Health Services, Health Regulation Group, Chew Suok Kai.

At the daily media briefing on the haze, the MOH said about 2,000 patients have already made use of the Haze Subsidy Scheme, where they only have to pay S$10 to see a doctor at a polyclinic if they are ill from the haze.

Patients who see a designated general practitioner get a S$30 subsidy. Since the scheme was announced two weeks ago with just 17 clinics on board, more than 600 general practitioners have signed up.

The National Environment Agency has also put up practical tips for households to tackle the haze in their homes such as to avoid chores like vacuuming, dry dusting or sweeping, which stir up particles in the home.

The outdoor air intake for air-conditioners such as window units that draw unfiltered air from outside should also be closed.

For the next few days, the low-level winds are forecast to vary between south-easterly and south-westerly directions and slightly hazy conditions can still be expected. Thundery showers are forecast in the late morning and early afternoon.

Go to http://www.nea.gov.sg/psi/ for more information on the haze.