The skies above Canberra were far clearer for most of Monday, after much of the bushfire smoke that smothered the capital drifted south and west overnight.
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But air quality across the city remained at hazardous levels, according to ACT Health. As at 3pm the air quality index (which shows a 24-hour rolling average) at the Monash monitoring station was at 1517, down from 2578 at 6am, at Florey it was 1095, down from 2376, and at Civic 705, down from 1991. Any reading above 250 is considered extremely hazardous, and concerned residents were struggling to obtain protective face masks.
The 100,000 P2 masks released by the federal government from its pandemic stockpile, would be available from all community pharmacies from Tuesday morning. Across the ACT many commercial outlets had sold out.
Authorities have warned that the respite might be only temporary, as easterly winds from the bushfire grounds along the South Coast return during the week, bringing more smoke.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the firm health advice remained to stay indoors and out of the smoke as much as possible.
"We understand this is incredibly frustrating. Lots of parents at home with their kids who have been bursting to get outside," Mr Barr said.
He said the government was working to significantly increase the supply of P2 masks in the territory.
"[Masks are] expressly being made available for those in the community most at risk of the impacts of smoke," he said.
"This includes Canberrans with existing chronic lung and heart conditions, pregnant women and people over 65 years of age.
"There are not enough masks for everyone in the territory. So we are continuing to ask the community to join with us in ensuring that we are supporting the people in our community most at risk."
ACT Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman said air quality had improved but urged people to continue to stay indoors as much as possible because of the smoke pollution.
She said the P2 and N95 masks were not an alternative to avoiding smoke and could be very uncomfortable and claustrophobic, especially for those with chronic health conditions.
She said anyone in the at risk categories should consult a doctor about their conditions and suggested that washing eyes with saline drops and throat lozenges could improve symptoms of smoke irritation.
While she said some people had presented to the city's emergency departments, these were not at a number to cause concern.
READ MORE: Where you can get a P2 mask on Monday
ACT Emergency Services Agency said work was "continuing" on how to get the masks to the more vulnerable member of the community.
"We understand that many Canberrans are calling the Canberra Hospital and walk-in-centres seeking advice on where they can get P2/N95 masks," ACT ESA said. "We understand that stock continues to be limited at hardware suppliers and/or chemists."
It said more information on the distribution of the mask from the Commonwealth's stockpile would be made available "as soon as possible".
Dr Coleman said the masks would be made progressively available from Tuesday.
In the meantime, she advised people to remain indoors and keep windows and doors closed.
But retailers report people unable to buy protective masks are becoming panicked.
Belconnen Bunnings has been inundated by callers desperate to get masks, including people disabilities, pregnant women and people trying to get protective gear for elderly parents.
According to a staff member, the store had received more than 100 call from people seeking masks since 9am.
Demand for masks has been very heavy, the staff member said. A delivery of seven pallets on Friday sold out in less than 90 minutes, and a further car load delivered on Saturday sold in less than 10 minutes.
Pharmacy Guild of Australia ACT Branch President Simon Blacker told ABC Radio all pharmacies in Canberra had sold out of P2 masks over the weekend but expected more to be available from lunchtime Monday.