SINGAPORE — While smog continued to paint the skies around Singapore on Sunday (Sept 15), life went on as usual for many — as people gathered to have picnics at Botanic Gardens, while others were seen flying kites at the Marina Barrage at around noon.

Two mass running events also went on as scheduled.

This is even as the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) readings recorded on Sunday (Sept 15) inched up from Saturday.

Singapore’s air quality entered “unhealthy” levels for the first time in three years on Saturday when the 24-hour PSI in the west hit 103 at 4pm.

By 1am on Sunday morning, all parts of Singapore were in “unhealthy” territory, with the PSI ranging from 101 to 117.

The numbers continued rising till it peaked at 124 in the west, from 5am to 8am. But the situation improved as the day progressed; by 7pm, the PSI had dropped to a range of 97 to 105.

Businesses TODAY spoke to on Sunday said they experienced a slowdown on Saturday.

One stall selling fried chicken outside the West Mall shopping centre in Bukit Batok said that there were more delivery orders on Saturday.

Stall assistant Jay Low, 29, told TODAY in Mandarin: “There was a 15 per cent increase in deliveries… usually we have around 30 a day but (on Saturday) we hit around 50. I think more people ordered in due to the haze.”

A shop manager of a chicken rice stall located at the entrance of Bukit Batok MRT station said that business was “slow” on Saturday.

The manager, who wanted to be known only as Mr Tan, said: “Today (business) seems better, the sun came out slightly and the customers are coming back.”

MOST ACTIVITIES WENT ON AS USUAL

TODAY’s checks found that several large-scale events happening around the island on Sunday went on as scheduled.

More than 5,000 people were at The Promontory @ Marina Bay to take part in the annual POSB PAssion Kids Run, which was jointly organised by People’s Association (PA) and POSB.

A PA spokesperson said that contingency plans and safety measures had been prepared if conditions worsened during the event, and regular updates were also provided to participants.

Over on the east side of the island near Changi, some 10,000 people also participated in the annual Yellow Ribbon Prison Run, which started at about 6am and ended at around 1pm.

TODAY understands that an Officer Cadet Commissioning Parade held at SAFTI Military Institute also took place in the late afternoon.

A Mindef spokesperson told TODAY: “The Singapore Armed Forces monitors the air quality in Singapore closely, and has in place a set of activity guidelines according to the range of PSI readings.”

The spokesperson added that SAF training and activities will continue when the 24-hour PSI readings are below 100. But units will adjust their outdoor and training activities accordingly once 24-hour PSI readings exceed 100.

Over at the Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home in Yishun, some 1,500 residents and community members also celebrated the birth anniversary of its founder, Sree Narayana Guru.

But one event did get cancelled: A community clean-up organised by Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s Progress Singapore Party which was slated to take place at 8.30am.

A spokesperson said that the event was cancelled “with the participants’ welfare in mind” and will be rescheduled to another day.

FAMILIES, FRIENDS UNFAZED BY HAZE

Most members of the public approached by TODAY on Sunday took the imminent haze threat in their stride.

Ms Herny Haryanie, who was on a walk at the Botanic Gardens with her family around lunch time, said they “took the chance to get out of the house since it looked like the haze cleared up from yesterday (Saturday)”.

The 20-year-old Republic Polytechnic student said that she and her family members do not really see a need to wear masks as they “do not have asthma” or are prone to respiratory diseases.

Many people were also seen having picnics at Botanic Gardens at noon.

One of them was an Indonesian domestic helper who gave her name only as Ms Susi.

The 26-year-old, who was with five other friends, said: “We rarely have the chance (to gather), so even if there is some haze, we will go out.”

She added that she does not see a need to wear masks.

Some parents said that they have been monitoring the PSI readings and taking precautions when necessary.

One of them, a 46-year-old designer who gave her name only as Ms Neo, rescheduled her daughter’s weekly tennis practice on Sunday morning.

“Short walks outside are fine but I would try to stay away from strenuous activity,” she said.

Others like Ms Yuki Lee, 53, who works in the banking industry, said she has cut back on her daily walks since Saturday.

“But I will definitely not miss special events that I want to go for even if they are held outdoors,” said Ms Lee, who was at the Esplanade area for an outdoor Chinese concert in the evening.