Singapore forces to adjust training, activities as haze worsens

As a haze caused by forest fires in Indonesia continues to hit unhealthy levels, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will adjust their outdoor activities and training to limit the exposure of servicemen exposure to the pollutant, the defence ministry said on Tuesday.

When the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading exceeds 100, activities will be adjusted "accordingly" to ensure that servicemen train and operate safely, the ministry said.

Servicemen performing essential outdoor duties will be issued N95 masks when the 24-hour PSI reading enters the "Very Unhealthy" range, which is a reading between 201 and 300, Channel News Asia reported.

Activities will continue as normal when the reading is below 100.

The ministry also said it has in place a set of PSI activity guidelines which are formulated for the SAF population and take into account servicemen's medical fitness and the nature of activities.

"In spite of the PSI-activity guidelines, the SAF stands ready to safeguard Singapore's peace and security, and the SAF training has largely continued," it said.

The ministry also said that it is in close contact with the Indonesian authorities, and "stands ready to support and assist" Indonesia to combat the fires causing the haze.