Singapore Grand Prix entertainment may be curbed if haze worsens, FIA says
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SINGAPORE: There might be "some restrictions" on outdoor activity such as entertainment during this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix, but not on the race, if the haze currently blanketing the country worsens, the motor sports governing body said on Thursday (Oct 8).
Singapore has been shrouded in smoke for weeks, with the air quality currently in the "unhealthy" range across the country, just a day ahead of the race weekend and during a busy week of conferences with regional, business, cryptocurrency and sports leaders descending on Singapore.
Despite the pall from Indonesia's most intense fires in over a decade, the haze and poor air quality are not expected to threaten track activity or the staging of the F1 night race, said a spokesperson from the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).
"Air quality levels are being monitored by the relevant local authorities, and appropriate contingency measures are in place," said the spokesperson.
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The FIA did not give a threshold for when plans affecting entertainment and other outdoor activity would be activated.
The spokesperson said they were following recommendations from local authorities and working closely with them to safeguard the health of F1 teams.
On Wednesday evening, the environment agency's haze update said: "Under the prevailing southeasterly to southerly winds, smoke haze from these areas may continue to drift towards Singapore."
The Singapore Tourism Board said it is monitoring the situation closely, and that contingency plans are in place.
These include making medical assistance and N95 masks accessible on-site if required.
In 2019, when haze was similarly in the "unhealthy" range during the Singapore Grand Prix, organisers had first aid posts on standby and made N95 masks available to those who needed them.
The race drew 268,000 spectators, then the second-highest attendance in the event’s history.
Haze also threatened the Singapore Grand Prix in 2015. Organisers placed all 24 medical and first aid posts on standby for possible haze-related conditions and made N95 masks available to spectators at cost price.
The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading and health advisories were also displayed on the Singapore Grand Prix website and mobile app, as well as on screens between races and through the circuit's radio system.
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