24-hour N95 haze mask vending machines to be rolled out for eligible S'poreans if PSI reading crosses 200

Should the 24-hour Pollution Standards Index (PSI) cross 200 and enter the "very unhealthy range", the Singapore Government will distribute N95 masks to Singaporeans who may be more vulnerable to the effects of haze or who may have limited means of obtaining the masks.

Such persons include individuals with medical conditions, the elderly, pregnant women or children aged seven to 16.

24-hour mask vending machines will complement the distribution effort by the People's Association (PA) grassroots organisations.

The machines will be located at 37 public transport hubs and social services offices.

They will serve the following eligible persons:

• Pioneer Generation (PG)
• Merdeka Generation (MG)
• CHAS Orange card holder
• CHAS Blue card holder
• Medical Fee Exemption Card (MFEC) holder
• Recipients of ComCare Assistance

Each pack consists of two masks and can be collected at the vending machines with an NRIC.

Family members or friends can also make the collection on behalf of an eligible person using their NRIC.

Pregnant women, children aged seven to 16 and individuals with medical conditions may collect masks at PA venues with their NRICs.

These vending machines have been prepared and are on stand-by to be deployed.

As at 11am on Oct. 11, the 24-hour PSI reading for Central Singapore is 149, in the "Unhealthy" range.

Given the possibility of the haze situation deteriorating, the government has convened the Haze Taskforce (HTF), the National Environment Agency said in a media release on Oct. 9.

N95 mask distribution is part of a slew of measures announced in anticipation of a worsening haze.