Event organisers take steps to protect guests from haze

Yasmine Yahya, Straits Times AsiaOne 18 Sep 15;

Visitors and investors streaming into Singapore for the Formula One (F1) race this weekend can look forward to wining and dining in style as usual, with organisers taking precautions to protect their guests from the effects of the haze.

The organisers of the Singapore Summit, an annual meeting of thought leaders discussing economic and finance issues, have made provisions to have N95 masks available to participants at the summit venue.

About 450 delegates are expected this year, where the highlight will be a dialogue with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

There have not been any cancellations specifically because of the haze, said Ms Linda Sein, executive director of the Global Asia Programme Office at the Economic Development Board.

Some of these delegates might very well be spending the weekend at the F1 race as well, where private banks say client events will go on as planned.

A Citi Singapore spokesman said the bank has invited about 200 clients to watch the race. So far, none of its invited guests has pulled out because of the haze.

DBS Bank, which is hosting about 100 wealth and corporate clients at its F1 corporate hospitality lounge, is taking some precautions. "Air purifiers will be installed in our hospitality lounge and we are also sending N95 masks by courier to our guests before the event. The masks will also be provided in our event goodie bags," said Ms Karen McGregor, senior vice-president of group strategic marketing and communications at DBS.

Organisers of outdoor events taking place this weekend are also playing it safe.

Singapore Management University is holding its SMU Mile Run for which about 300 participants have signed up.

"The run will be converted into a walking event if the three-hour PSI is in the 101-150 range and the event will be cancelled if the three-hour PSI exceeds 150," said SMU Provost Professor Lily Kong.