PETALING JAYA: All outdoor activities need to be suspended at schools located in Level 1 Heat Alert areas, says Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan.
The Health Director-General added that if the situation worsens, the Education Ministry will take the next course of action in accordance with existing heat wave management guidelines.
“Prolonged exposure to hot weather can be harmful to health, especially for high-risk groups such as children, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases," said Dr Muhammad Radzi.
He added that school students are at a high risk of health problems caused by hot weather.
“Therefore, the Health Ministry advises parents to ensure that children drink enough water,” he said in a statement on Saturday (March 23).
He added that for children who are fasting during Ramadan, parents are advised to ensure their children drink enough water before fasting.
Dr Radzi said this following a notice by the Malaysian Meteorological Department’s (MetMalaysia) statement that said several locations nationwide will see hot and dry weather until next month.
On Friday (March 22), MetMalaysia said Perlis has been hit with a Level 2 heatwave, which refers to the daily maximum temperature reaching 37 to 40 degrees Celsius for at least three consecutive days.
MetMalaysia also identified 12 areas in the Peninsula under Level 1 (alert): Langkawi, Pokok Sena, Kubang Pasu, Padang Terap, Sik, Baling, Kuala Muda, Pendang and Kota Setar in Kedah, as well as Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar and Kinta in Perak.
Level 1 refers to a daily maximum temperature of 35 to 37 degrees Celsius for at least three consecutive days.
