The Penang government is prepared to advise schools to suspend or postpone outdoor activities if air quality in the state deteriorates further, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said today.
Chow told reporters after officiating the R.A.C.E to Zero Penang edition event that Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in Penang remained moderate, but the state was monitoring the situation closely.
“At the moment, the readings are still moderate. If they reach more critical levels, I think advice will have to be issued to halt or postpone certain activities,” Malay Mail quoted him as saying.
“Some schools may have to postpone outdoor activities and so on. We will deal with that when it reaches that level,” Chow added.
As of this morning, Minden in George Town registered the state’s highest API reading at 98, just three points below the unhealthy threshold of 101, NST reported. Other Penang stations recorded Seberang Jaya at 93, while Seberang Prai and Balik Pulau each stood at 89.
Under Ministry of Education guidelines, outdoor activities at schools are banned when API readings exceed 100. If readings surpass the 200 mark, schools close and lessons shift to online learning.
Chow was responding to questions about Penang’s API readings, which had approached the 100 mark earlier this morning. He said the state government was receiving updates from the state secretary and the Department of Environment. He added that his office would release a more detailed statement later today.
Nationally, 11 areas recorded unhealthy API levels this morning, with Sarawak bearing the brunt of the haze. Samarahan and Serian both hit 183, followed by Kuching at 177, Sri Aman at 159, and Sarikei at 158. Mukah and Sibu each recorded 152. The number of affected areas in Sarawak dropped from nine yesterday.
Hot weather across the region has fuelled forest fires in Indonesia, where more than 107,000 hectares have reportedly been affected, about twice the area previously recorded.
The public, particularly children, senior citizens and those with respiratory problems, are advised to monitor air quality updates and reduce strenuous outdoor activities if conditions worsen.
