Singapore retailers have sufficient N95 mask stocks amid haze risk

Singapore is preparing for a potential worsening of haze conditions, with major retailers confirming they have sufficient N95 mask stocks. The inter-agency Haze Task Force has advised retailers to monitor and replenish their supplies as needed.

The government also maintains its own stockpile of N95 masks, ensuring an additional layer of preparedness. The Ministry of Health stated that it regularly reviews the nation's mask stockpile requirements to guarantee adequate supplies.

Singapore faces a high risk of severe transboundary haze for the remainder of 2026, according to the Singapore Institute of International Affairs. The peak is anticipated between August and September, driven by hotter and drier weather patterns associated with the El Nino phenomenon. This year's haze season is expected to be more comparable to the 2023 El Nino event than the severe haze experienced in 2015.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) noted that while brief periods of haze are likely, a prolonged duration is not anticipated. The number of detected hotspots so far is also significantly lower than in 2015. Regional haze monitoring is at alert level 2, with daily updates exchanged among ASEAN member states.

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At this point, we are expecting the current season to be more comparable to the recent El Nino event in 2023, as compared to maybe the past severe events in 2015.