GEORGE TOWN: All schools on Penang island have stopped outdoor activities following Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in Minden and Balik Pulau which had exceeded 100.
State Education Department director Mohamad Dziauddin Mat Saad said the directive was issued yesterday following the unhealthy readings.
He said if the API levels exceeded 200, schools would be ordered to close and lessons would be held online.
The southwest district has 51 primary and secondary schools, while the northeast has 106.
“We are monitoring the situation hourly, and I receive updates as early as 6am to 8pm.
“If the readings at any point reach 200, we will give out the directive to close the schools and take lessons online,” Mohamad Dziauddin said when contacted by The Star yesterday.
He said a war room was set up on Aug 13 to keep hourly tabs on the API levels in the state.
“If there are any changes on any given day and the reading exceeds 200, an announcement will be made before 8pm to ensure parents, schools and their canteens are aware of the changes and have time to prepare.
“It has to be done to ensure everyone is prepared, but for now there is no need,” he said.
As of noon yesterday, Balik Pulau recorded an API reading of 152, while Minden recorded 127.
Seberang Perai and Seberang Jaya recorded readings of 90 and 94 respectively.
API readings between zero and 50 indicate good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, while readings above 300 are categorised as hazardous.
State health committee chairman Daniel Gooi urged the public to follow directives from the Health Ministry.
He said parents of school-going children should be in close communication with their children’s schools in case of any directive from the state Education Department.
Gooi advised not to carry out outdoor activities and those who need to be outdoors to wear a face mask.
“Drink plenty of water, at least eight glasses a day,” he added.
