PUBLISHED ONOctober 14, 2026 1:09 PMBYSean LerAir quality in the Republic entered the "Very Unhealthy' range at 9pm on Wednesday (Oct 14), with the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reaching 203 in western Singapore.
The latest reading marks a new high for 2026, surpassing last week's record of 192 in central Singapore.
Elsewhere, concentration readings were in the elevated band (56 to 150µg/m3) in the central (125), southern (88), eastern (97) and northern (72) regions.
Meanwhile, the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) ranged from 127 in northern Singapore to 203 in the western region.
The next highest reading of 184 was recorded in central Singapore.
In its daily haze update issued on Wednesday evening, the National Environment Agency said the country's 24-hour PSI is forecast to be in the Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy range.
This is due to dense smoke haze from fires in Kalimantan drifting towards Singapore under the prevailing southeasterly winds. In addition, smoke haze was also observed over Sumatra.
The Government, citing PM2.5 levels in the Very High range and the possibility that the 24-hour PSI could enter the Very Unhealthy range, announced on Wednesday afternoon (Oct 14) that it has commenced the phased distribution of N95 masks to vulnerable Singaporeans.
Those from the Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation; holders of the Community Health Assistance Scheme (CHAS) Blue and Orange cards and Medical Fee Exemption Cards (MFEC); and recipients of ComCare Assistance are eligible to collect their masks at Community Clubs or designated vending machines located at selected public transport hubs, social service offices and People's Association venues.
In addition, pregnant women, children between the ages of seven and 16, and those with medical conditions such as asthma may collect their masks at Community Clubs.
Each mask pack comes with two N95 masks. They are available in either the medium or large size.
Haze shelters at community clubs and selected Residents' Committee and Residents' Network centres have also been activated on Wednesday.
The same afternoon, Sport Singapore announced the temporary closure of outdoor and non-aircon ActiveSG facilities in the eastern, central and western regions as a precautionary measure.
Members of the public should check the latest one-hour PM2.5 concentration readings before participating in any outdoor activities.
When concentration readings reach the "Very High" band, healthy persons should minimise all outdoor activities for the next hour.
In such conditions, vulnerable persons, including those with chronic lung or heart disease, are advised to avoid all outdoor activities for the next hour.
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