Second haze mask distribution from Oct 23; those eligible include Singaporeans aged 60 and above

SINGAPORE – A second haze mask distribution exercise will begin on Oct 23, with more Singaporeans eligible to collect them from community clubs, dedicated vending machines and other venues.

Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said on Oct 22 that those aged 60 and above can collect two masks each in this exercise. Previously, only those aged 67 and above were eligible.

She said: “So we have been heeding the feedback from the public. Some of the seniors who are above 60, but not Merdeka Generation or Pioneer Generation cardholders, have reflected that they will also benefit from the masks.”

Pioneer Generation seniors are Singaporeans born in 1949 or earlier, while the Merdeka Generation refers to citizens who were born in the 1950s.

Those eligible to collect masks in the second distribution exercise include:

The masks will be distributed by the People’s Association (PA) CCs.

They will also be available at mask vending machines at 37 public transport hubs, social service offices and PA venues.

Locations can be found at go.gov.sg/hazemask

Expectant mothers, children and those with medical conditions can collect masks only at PA venues such as CCs.

The first mask distribution exercise kicked off on Oct 14, after PM2.5 readings soared that day, setting this haze season’s high of 288.

It occurred at 3pm in the western part of Singapore.

PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter.

It is the dominant pollutant during periods of transboundary haze and is small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream.

Haze masks such as N95 masks can limit the amount of PM2.5 inhaled by a person.

Fu said those who were eligible in the first round of distribution but have not collected their masks can get four masks at any CC.

To date, about 22% of eligible Singaporeans have collected the masks.

Fu was speaking on Oct 22 at Beo Crescent Market in Jalan Besar, where she and Jalan Besar GRC MP Wan Rizal gave out bags of haze-relief items such as masks, herbal syrup and coconut water to stallholders.

Her comments come amid an improvement in air quality in Singapore, with one-hour PM2.5 readings – a reflection of current air quality – all in the “normal” range as at 1pm on Oct 22.

The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index, which tracks air quality in Singapore over the past day, was mostly in the good to moderate range, with readings below 100 at 1pm. Only the 24-hour PSI in western Singapore breached the unhealthy threshold of 101, with a reading of 102.

However, satellite maps on the National Environment Agency (NEA) website showed persistent hot spots in Indonesia.

Prevailing winds have kept the smoke plumes away from Singapore for now, with denser clouds of pollution observed in areas such as Peninsular Malaysia, Kalimantan, Sumatra and the western parts of Sarawak.

Fu said: “(I’d) like to encourage Singaporeans who have not collected their mask to do so in the near future when the weather is good.

“Do it before the next round of air pollution strikes us.”

Fu had earlier warned that reprieve from the poor air quality may arrive only around November.

Short-term exposure to high levels of haze particles can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat for healthy people, as well as affect the heart and lungs of those with chronic conditions.

As haze blanketed Singapore in the first half of October, there was a spike in demand for N95 masks. This rush for face coverings prompted at least two retailers to limit purchases.

Fu said the Government is aware that some retail store shelves have been emptied of masks, noting that her ministry and the Health Ministry are working closely to help retailers stock up by drawing on the national stockpile.

These retailers include Sheng Siong, Giant and Cold Storage.

Said Fu: “So no need to panic; there are always masks available. And we just need to give the retailers some time to replenish their shelves.”

Besides N95 masks, KF94, FFP2 and KN95 masks can also reduce exposure to haze particles.

Fu encouraged members of the public to look out for the vulnerable, including those who cannot collect the masks themselves, during the haze season.

Eligible Singaporeans can hand their NRIC to a family member or friend to collect the masks on their behalf.

Singapore has experienced more than six weeks of haze so far in 2026. Air quality first entered the unhealthy range on Sept 4.

Vulnerable people such as the elderly, pregnant women and individuals with chronic heart or lung disease are advised to wear an N95 mask when the air quality forecast is in the very unhealthy range and if they must be outdoors for several hours.

The Government has officially issued legal notices to 10 companies in Indonesia, requesting they stop the burning on their land and to submit plans on preventing the fires from recurring.

When asked by The Straits Times whether any of the firms had responded to the move, Fu said the Government would leave that update for another time.

Benjamin Pakiam, 72, who was dining at Beo Crescent Market, plans to collect another pair of masks in case the haze situation worsens.

“The haze is still lingering. It has come down, but the PSI is still unhealthy,” added Pakiam, who works in insurance.

He welcomed the expanded age range of Singaporeans eligible for free masks, but hopes the measure can be extended to those 50 and above.

Pakiam added that those in their 50s should not be overlooked as they are also vulnerable to haze-related health issues.