Smoke crosses the Tasman and shrouds New Zealand, and Canberra records unprecedented smoke pollution.
ACT acting chief health officer Dr Paul Dugdale said the air quality was the worst ever recorded in the capital.
The message from authorities is simple: stay indoors and limit your exposure. But while that might work for a day or two, what happens when it becomes the new norm? "No heavy exercise outdoors — it's not the day to start your New Year's resolution with a morning jog," Dr Dugdale said.a P2 mask, which filters out small PM2.5 particles.
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