Jerebu: Johor lanjut penutupan sekolah 5 hari

On October 7th, Johor announced a five-day school suspension due to haze and deteriorating air quality. (Picture: Bernama) In the state of Johor, all schools and educational institutions are closed for an additional five days due to haze and declining air quality standards. The Johor government announced the extended school suspension period starting from October 12th to October 16th after assessing the progress of the air pollution, as well as the risk of respiratory issues among children and the educational community.

This decision to prolong the suspension was made considering several key factors based on the assessment of the current situation, according to Naqib Ghazali, the Johor Education and Communications Exco. Apart from health risks, the state government took into account the Air Pollution Index (API) readings, which were reported to be around 170 to 180 without significant changes.

They also considered the slow movement of air and less favorable atmospheric conditions that could potentially allow haze to persist for a longer duration. Additionally, the forecasted wind movements from Kalimantan, Indonesia, between October 13th and 15th, which could bring cross-border air pollution, were also taken into consideration.

The government believes that taking preventive measures should be given priority to reduce the risk of prolonged exposure to polluted air. This decision also aims to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment before the reopening of school sessions. The state government urges parents and guardians to limit their children's outdoor activities, ensure they drink enough water, and seek immediate medical attention and treatment if they experience symptoms such as prolonged coughing, chest pain, or difficulty breathing.

The public is also advised to follow health advisories and stay updated through official channels. On October 7th, Johor announced a two-day school suspension starting on Thursday due to haze and deteriorating air quality standards. This suspension was issued by the Johor Sultan's Deputy, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, as a step to safeguard the safety and health of students amidst the haze.