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Singapore haze reaches hazardous levels

Singapore was forced to announce emergency school closures on Friday for all primary and secondary schools as air pollution levels in the city-state reached hazardous levels from agricultural fires raging in Indonesia.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has asked employers not to compromise the health and safety of their employees, although no announcement for a national shutdown of work has been made. As PSI levels peaked above the 300 mark, authorities are asking residents to don masks, drink more water and avoid outdoor activities as thickening smoke smothers the city.

The National Environment Agency said the haze situation could worsen due to prevailing winds that blow the thick smog from the forest fires in neighbouring Sumatra island.