Haze Measures End As Air Quality Improves

Conclusion Of Emergency Protocols

The national response to transboundary smoke will wind down in the coming days due to favorable weather shifts. The distribution of protective face masks via vending machines and community hubs will terminate at 6 pm on November 7. Simultaneously, the air-conditioned rooms in community clubs and residents’ centers that served as temporary shelters will close. The multi-agency task force established to manage the crisis will also be stood down on this date. These actions follow a significant improvement in air quality, which began to stabilize around late October after several weeks of unhealthy conditions.

Medical Support And Financial Aid

The financial assistance program for healthcare costs will remain active for a short period after the physical measures cease. Patients can utilize the subsidy scheme until November 11, allowing them to pay a capped fee of $10 for treatments related to haze-induced ailments. This support covers visits to over 1,300 private general practitioner clinics and public polyclinics. Since the scheme launched in mid-October, it has facilitated more than 100,000 visits at private clinics and over 60,000 at polyclinics. The Ministry of Health confirmed these figures, highlighting the high demand for medical care during the peak of the pollution event.

Meteorological Factors And Future Outlook

The reduction in pollution is attributed to the onset of inter-monsoon conditions, which bring lighter and more variable winds. These weather patterns, combined with increased rainfall, are expected to suppress smoke levels significantly. Although fires continue to burn in parts of Indonesia, the changing wind direction prevents the smoke from drifting heavily toward the island. The daily air quality forecasts, which have been issued nightly for over two months, will also conclude on November 7. Employers are permitted to resume outdoor work without additional precautions, as the risk to workers has diminished with the improved environmental conditions.