{
  "id": 15139161,
  "title": "Haze-hit areas: Parents to decide on childcare attendance, but kids must stay indoors, says family minister",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/haze-hit-areas-parents-to-decide-on-childcare-attendance-but-kids",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-17T06:42:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/17/haze-hit-areas-parents-to-decide-on-childcare-attendance-but-kids-must-stay-indoors-says-family-minister/239460"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "KUCHING, Oct 17 — No taska (childcare centres) have been ordered to close so far due to the haze, but all outdoor...",
  "key_points": [
    "Childcare centres not ordered to close due to haze.",
    "Outdoor activities for children halted to limit air exposure.",
    "Parents decide on childcare attendance, children must stay indoors."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Prioritizing the continuity of childcare services for working families shifts the burden of health risk assessment from the government directly onto individual parents during periods of poor air quality.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Haze-hit areas: Parents to decide on childcare attendance, but kids must stay indoors, says family minister",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/haze-hit-areas-parents-to-decide-on-childcare-attendance-but-kids-15143776",
        "published": "2026-10-17T06:42:12.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}