According to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), the bushfire smoke shrouding Melbourne and Geelong may persist for at least the first half of the week, while air quality is getting worse.
The air quality in the Gippsland, North East, Alpine and Latrobe Valley regions has also been getting poor due to the bushfire smoke.
Chief Environmental Scientist at EPA Dr. Andrea Hinwood said, “Though some of the smoke has come from fires in Victoria’s north-east and East Gippsland, most of it has actually drifted across from Tasmania.”
“We’re not expecting this to change until Wednesday,” she added. “We might see some light relief tomorrow but we might not.”
Dr. Hinwood explained that rain had unfortunately done nothing so far. She said, “Drenching rain would be terrific because it would knock it out. But the current amount is insufficient and there’s too much smoke.”
Due to the ongoing bushfire smoke blanketing the major cities, tennis star Novak Djokovic has suggested Australian Open organizers to consider delaying Australian Open if the issue persists.
Dr. Brett Sutton, Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, said the ongoing bushfire smoke could cause symptoms such as cough, breathlessness, and irritation of the nose, eyes, and throat.
Children, older people, pregnant women, and people with existing heart or lung disease, diabetes or asthma are more vulnerable to these symptoms so they have been urged to stay away from smoke by staying indoors. Dr. Sutton said if they are supposed to go outdoors, they should wear P2 or N25 masks.
For asthmatics, Dr. Sutton advised putting their asthma management plan into action. And asthmatics who do not have a plan, they should see their doctor right away to get one.
Dr. Sutton said, “People with ongoing cough, wheezing, tightness of the chest, may have asthma and should see a GP.”
Dr. Hinwood advised closing everything up in your homes and seal your doors. She said, “Now is a good time to do that because this will persist for the next few days. Some homes are terribly leaky and will be problematic. Go to the library or shopping center to take a break in these conditions.”
Meanwhile, the Australian government has released more than 450,000 P2 facemasks from a national stockpile for those who are at risk.
Dr. Sutton said facemasks were “not a cure-all” but he said P2 masks could provide additional protection especially for people who are vulnerable. He said, “Masks can give you a false sense of security. It doesn’t mean it’s okay to go outside. They have to be fitted properly and when they are fitted, it can make it difficult to breathe. Surgical masks, bandanas are not going to do the job.”
