ActiveSG Closes Most Outdoor Facilities as Singapore Haze Worsens
Outdoor and non-air-conditioned sports facilities across most of Singapore were shut down on Oct. 15 as worsening transboundary haze pushed pollutant readings into unhealthy and very unhealthy ranges.
The National Environment Agency recorded 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index readings at 7 p.m. in the unhealthy band across the island: 180 in the west, 185 in the central region, 160 in the east, 157 in the south, and 121 in the north. Earlier in the day, the western reading reached a peak in the west, according to The Straits Times. The western reading hit 203 at 9 p.m. the previous evening, entering the very unhealthy range for the first time during the current episode.
ActiveSG Closes Outdoor Facilities in Three Waves
ActiveSG closed outdoor and non-air-conditioned facilities in three waves on Oct. 15. Sport Singapore initially shuttered western branches based on 24-hour PSI readings, affecting Bukit Batok, Bukit Gombak, Clementi, Choa Chu Kang, Hockey Village @ Boon Lay, Jurong East, Jurong Lake Gardens, Jurong West, Senja Cashew, and Sport Village @ Jurong Town. Morning updates added facilities in the south and central regions, including ActiveSG Sport Park @ Teck Ghee, Burghley Tennis and Squash Centre, Bishan, Delta, MOE Evans, and Queenstown branches. A 7 p.m. update closed eastern facilities, leaving only northern sport centres open.
Other recreational operators scaled back operations simultaneously. SAFRA Toa Payoh suspended outdoor activities and closed its swimming pool on Oct. 15 following similar suspensions announced on Oct. 14 by SAFRA Jurong and SAFRA Choa Chu Kang. HomeTeamNS closed outdoor amenities at its Bukit Batok branch, including the pool and pickleball court, while the Civil Service Club suspended outdoor activities and closed both outdoor and non-air-conditioned indoor facilities at its Bukit Batok branch.
Events Cancelled and Masks Distributed
Organisations across the city-state cut back on outdoor events and brought forward protective measures. The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants cancelled its annual ISCA Run scheduled for the morning of Oct. 17 at Gardens by the Bay, an event expected to draw nearly 3,000 participants, families, volunteers, staff, and partners. Meanwhile, the government began distributing N95 masks to vulnerable residents on Oct. 14, earlier than initially planned, targeting senior citizens, pregnant women, children, teenagers, and people with medical conditions such as asthma. Authorities also opened air-conditioned spaces at community clubs and selected residents’ committee centres.
Singapore Considers Action Against Companies Causing Transboundary Haze
The National Environment Agency stated that moderate to dense smoke plumes were observed from fires in Kalimantan and southern Sumatra, drifting toward Singapore under prevailing southeasterly winds. Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said the government was considering possible action against companies responsible for transboundary haze under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act of 2014, which carries fines of up to S$100,000 a day capped at S$2 million for firms found responsible for fires causing unhealthy air quality for at least 24 hours. Fu added that Singapore remained willing to assist Indonesia in managing the fires, though Jakarta had not yet responded to the offer.
While some rain was forecast over Singapore and surrounding regions, dry conditions were expected to persist over parts of southern Sumatra and Kalimantan. The National Environment Agency forecast the 24-hour PSI for Oct. 16 to be unhealthy to low-very unhealthy, while noting that winds shifting to blow from the southeast or south could potentially reduce the transport of smoke haze toward Singapore over the weekend.