SINGAPORE, Oct 12 — Mosques across Singapore remain open for daily and Friday congregational prayers despite the haze, though non-essential outdoor activities will be suspended if air quality deteriorates to very unhealthy levels.
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) in a statement today said mosques had been issued haze preparedness guidelines covering precautionary measures across different Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) levels.
The council said appropriate precautions were in place to safeguard worshippers and prayer arrangements could be adjusted according to prevailing haze conditions, available indoor facilities and national health advisories.
“Should the 24-hour PSI enter the very unhealthy range (201-300), mosques will suspend non-essential outdoor programmes and activities,” it said.
Additional measures were also being put in place to safeguard congregants, particularly the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions, who have been advised to take extra precautions, including wearing suitable masks when attending prayers, it said.
MUIS said madrasahs and mosque-based kindergartens had been advised to implement the haze management measures in accordance with advisories issued by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) respectively.
These measures include adjustments to outdoor activities, appropriate indoor arrangements and monitoring the well-being of students and staff, while parents would be informed by the respective institutions of any changes to school activities or arrangements, where necessary, it said.
“MUIS will continue to monitor the haze situation closely and work with relevant government agencies to review and adjust its measures as necessary, in line with prevailing conditions and national health advisories,” it said.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s air quality remained unhealthy on Monday, with the 24-hour PSI ranging from 104 to 147 as of 1 pm, according to the National Environment Agency (NEA).
Readings stood at 147 in the central and west regions, 133 in the east, 115 in the south and 104 in the north. — Bernama
