Singapore widens haze mask rollout, lowers senior cutoff to 60
What's new: A second distribution starts Oct. 23, and the government plans to tap national stockpiles to refill store shelves.
Singapore will start a second round of haze mask distribution on Oct. 23, expanding eligibility to all residents age 60 and older after previously limiting senior access to those 67 and up. Eligible people can collect two masks at community clubs and designated vending machines, while pregnant women, children ages 7 to 16 and people with conditions such as asthma must collect theirs at People’s Association venues. Grace Fu, the sustainability and environment minister, said about 22% of eligible Singaporeans have picked up masks so far. She urged residents to stay prepared even as air quality improved, noting the government can draw on Ministry of Health inventory to help retailers such as Sheng Siong, Giant and Cold Storage restock masks.