Haze-hit areas: Parents to decide on childcare attendance, but kids must stay indoors, says family minister

KUCHING, Oct 17 — Childcare centres have not been ordered to shut down because of the haze, however, all outdoor activities for children must be halted to limit their exposure to contaminated air, according to Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri. The decision not to order a complete closure of childcare centres was made to accommodate the needs of working parents who depend on these services.

Parents are given the option to determine whether their children should attend childcare centres, especially in regions where schools have been mandated to close due to high Air Pollutant Index readings. "We recognize that not all parents can simply leave their children at home without any supervision," Nancy explained to reporters during the launch of Empowerus 2026, an event focused on sustainable, resilient, and ethical leadership.

The primary requirement is that children must not be permitted to play outdoors. Nancy also encouraged parents to have their children examined by a doctor if they exhibit symptoms of illness while the haze continues.