KUCHING: Childcare centres (taska) in Sarawak will be closed if the Air Pollutant Index (API) reaches 200, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (pic).
The Women, Family and Community Development Minister said the measure was aimed at protecting children from exposure to haze, which could affect their health.
She said it was in line with the decision previously made by the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).
On Aug 12, the SDMC said in a statement that schools, kindergartens and childcare centres would be closed immediately when the API reached 200, classified as the very unhealthy level, in accordance with the National Haze Action Plan and under the jurisdiction of the Sarawak Education Department director.
Nancy said yesterday that the directive currently applied in Sarawak but could also be followed in other areas or states should the haze worsen and spread, Bernama reported.
On the concerns of working parents about whether childcare centres should be closed, Nancy said the matter would have to be managed by the respective state governments, as the directive fell under state jurisdiction.
