{
  "id": 15147204,
  "title": "No childcare centres closed due to haze",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/no-childcare-centres-closed-due-to-haze-15147204",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-17T06:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/17/no-childcare-centres-closed-due-to-haze"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nancy Shukri, Malaysia's Women, Family and Community Development Minister, announced that no childcare centers have been ordered to close due to the ongoing haze. Outdoor activities, however, have been suspended to minimize children's exposure to polluted air. Shukri emphasized that the decision to keep the centers open takes into consideration the needs of working parents who rely on these services. Parents have the discretion to decide whether to send their children to childcare centers, especially in areas where schools have been ordered to close due to high air pollutant index (API) readings. Shukri acknowledged that some parents may not be able to leave their children at home without any supervision. Therefore, parents can discuss with their employers or the childcare center operators on the appropriate steps to take. The primary requirement is that children should not be allowed to play outdoors. Shukri advised parents to take their children for medical check-ups if they exhibit symptoms of illness while the haze persists.",
  "summary": "Women, family and community development minister Nancy Shukri says the children are, however, not allowed to play outdoors to reduce exposure to the polluted air.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "No childcare centres closed due to haze",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/no-childcare-centres-closed-due-to-haze",
        "published": "2026-10-17T06:30:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}