Sports

FIA Warns of Possible Entertainment Restrictions at Singapore Grand Prix if Haze Intensifies

By CNA

The FIA has said that if the haze over Singapore worsens, there could be "some restrictions" on outdoor entertainment during the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix, but the race itself would not be affected. Singapore has been shrouded in smoke for weeks, with air quality currently in the "unhealthy" range across the country just a day before the race weekend, which coincides with a busy week of conferences that will bring regional, business, cryptocurrency and sports leaders to the city-state. Despite the haze from Indonesia’s most intense fires in over a decade, the FIA spokesperson said the track activity and staging of the F1 night race are not expected to be threatened. "Air quality levels are being monitored by the relevant local authorities, and appropriate contingency measures are in place," the spokesperson added. The FIA did not provide a specific threshold for when entertainment and other outdoor activity plans would be activated. The spokesperson said the FIA is following recommendations from local authorities and working closely with them to safeguard the health of F1 teams. Singapore’s National Environment Agency and tourism board did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On Wednesday evening, the environment agency’s haze update noted that "under the prevailing southeasterly to southerly winds, smoke haze from these areas may continue to drift towards Singapore." In 2019, when haze was similarly in the "unhealthy" range during the Singapore Grand Prix, organisers had first aid help on standby and made N95 masks available to those who needed them.