How Singaporeans are living with the haze

As hazy conditions in Singapore continue to worsen, primary and secondary schools across the island were closed on Friday, September 25. This decision was made by the Education Ministry as a precaution, as air quality crept towards hazardous levels late Thursday night.

However children of working parents were not left high and dry. Parents unable to make alternative care arrangements could still send their children to school. Teachers continued to report for duty, and students were placed in suitable facilities such as libraries and enclosed spaces.

Primary and secondary schools, such as this one in Sengkang, were closed due to hazardous haze levels on Friday, 25 September

Meanwhile, with post-secondary education institutions and workplaces still open, Singaporeans are going about their lives as normal despite the hazardous haze levels. Although many are wearing masks, there are some who have decided not to wear one, especially those who are in customer service, who say it would be difficult to talk to customers if a mask was worn.

With workplaces remaining open despite the haze, Singapore residents are going about their lives as normal

Said a security guard who was also not wearing a mask,

"We're security guards so (people) need to be able to recognise our faces. This is the main reason why we don't wear masks.”

Fast-food chains McDonald's, KFC and Pizza Hut also resumed food delivery, after they suspended the service on Thursday due to the worsening air quality. However, McDonald's said it would not deliver to areas where the PSI remains above 300.

Fast-food chains like McDonald'sresumed food delivery, after they suspended the service on Thursday

The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) on Friday issued guidelines on religious worship amid the haze. Said the Office of the Mufti,

"Muslims in Singapore and the mosques here are urged to carry out all worship and religious activities at home, or in covered areas within the mosques, as far as possible.”

At the same time, the Singapore government has arranged for the elderly and needy to collect free masks from community centres islandwide. Though queues were seen at some community centres, all seem to agree that they did not have to wait long to pick up their masks.

The elderly and needy can collect their N95 masks from community centres on Friday

(All images - credit: Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licence)