What is Singapore doing to keep us cool during the hot spell?

The months of April and May are typically the hottest months in Southeast Asia. This year, the common heatwave reached record temperatures with Thailand seeing its hottest day in history at 45°C and Laos at 43.5°C.

In Malaysia, schools prepared to close due to the rising temperatures, reaching an average of 37°C in most states. The heat is more unbearable due to the high humidity, causing heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

As of June 2023, the April to May heatwave across Southeast Asia has sparked fires, led to school closures, and widespread hospitalisations. Singapore relaxes school uniform rules

Singapore reached a record temperature of 37°C in May 2023. The Ministry of Education released a notice to schools to ensure that students are taken care of during the heatwave. This notice dictates that schools are allowed to ease their rules on school uniforms amid the sweltering heat.

“Schools may explore ways to help students better manage the heat, such as allowing them to dress in P.E attire or their school t-shirt, depending on specific needs.”

Parents were sent notices to inform them that uniform rules would be adjusted for students between the start and end of May. However, not all schools abided by the same uniform rules.

Raffles Girls’ Primary School students have been told that pinafores were optional after P.E lessons, if students felt that it would be too warm. On the other hand, a student’s parent has reported that students who do not have P.E lessons on the day still have to continue wearing their pinafores. Students at Methodist Girls’ School are also allowed to wear P.E attire instead of their full uniform, whilst students at St Joseph Institution are allowed to wear their official half uniform on all school days except Mondays, when they are required to wear a full school uniform with a tie.

Curriculum is closely monitored

Aside from the alterations to school uniform rules, schools are also minimising outdoor physical activities between 10.30am and 3.30pm when temperatures are higher. Despite the regulations, some netizens wondered if such policies would be enough. “Who will monitor and enforce these rules during and after recess? The ideal solution is to get students to hydrate,” said netizen, Roger. Some parents also requested that their children return home early to rest and complete their homework, or switch to online classes as it’s much safer.

Whilst most welcomed the new uniform rules and appreciated the change in regulations, some raised concerns about other professions that might also be affected by the heatwave. Job productivity and health degradeing due to heat

Dr Derek Li with Raffles Medical Group said there was an increase in the number of people presenting complaints related to excessive heat exposure. “People who work outdoors are more susceptible to health-related risks including headaches, general malaise, and poor concentration. Others suffer flares or pre-existing conditions that can be worsened by warm conditions such as urticaria (hives) and eczema,”he adds.

Migrant workers bear the brunt of the heat at their open worksites. Safety coordinator, Md Sharif from Bangladesh, added that migrant workers have been advised to drink more water and rest at a sheltered area if they feel unwell. Yet, based on Ms Jewel Yi, the co-lead of Covid-19 Migrant Support Coalition, provision of portable sheltered resting areas depends entirely on the employer. The heat has also worsened the sleeping conditions of workers in the dormitories.

The Workplace Safety and Health Council issued an advisory on protecting workers from heat exhaustion by “reducing the exposure to heat by scheduling heavy physical work during cooler parts of the day and providing shaded areas for workers.”

With workers chronically working in high heat stress environments in long-sleeved non-breathable clothing, it is unsurprising that their health and work productivity degreades. Perhaps it’s time companies consider bringing back the ice slurries trialled in July 2022.