MOH releases stockpile of N95 masks or equivalent to support retailers in meeting public demand

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has released N95 masks from the national stockpile to support retailers in managing demand amidst the ongoing haze episode, it said in response to media queries on Oct. 20.

Sufficient supplies

MOH said that it is aware that there has been increased demand for the masks and that some members of the public are concerned about the availability of such masks.

According to MOH, checks showed that retailers and retail pharmacies have sufficient supplies in their warehouses.

However, some stores may temporarily run low on supplies while they restock their stores, MOH said.

MOH assured the public that it maintains a stockpile of N95 or equivalent masks, and said it has released the stockpile to support retailers in managing demand.

More masks at retail outlets by end of week

The public can purchase N95 masks (or equivalent) from all NTUC FairPrice outlets, as well as pharmacies such as Guardian, Unity and Watsons, MOH advised.

Other masks equivalent to N95 are KN95, FFP2 and KF94.

MOH also said it is working with Cold Storage, Giant and Sheng Siong for N95 or equivalent masks to be made available for purchase progressively at all their outlets by the end of the week.

"We urge individuals to purchase N95 masks (or equivalent) in quantities that are sufficient only for their own consumption, in order to avoid wastage," MOH said.

More information can be found on MOH's website or its social media pages.

Buy only what you need: Grace Fu

In an Oct. 20 Facebook post, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu similarly assured the public that Singapore's N95 or equivalent mask supplies are sufficient to meet demand.

The post showed Fu visiting Fairprice's warehouse, where stocks of the appropriate masks could be seen.

Fu also encouraged the public to buy only what they need.

"Masks can be reused as long as they are not soiled or dirty, damp, damaged or out of shape," Fu said.

According to MOH's advisory, vulnerable persons are advised to wear a mask outdoors if the 1-hour PM2.5 reading is at or above 151, or Band 3 (High).

For healthy persons, mask-wearing outdoors is advised if the 1-hour PM2.5 reading is at or above 251, or Band 4 (Very High).