Haze: Schools in Perak, Penang and Perlis ordered closed on Oct 23

The schools affected are in Perlis, Penang and Perak except Kedah as its weekend begins on Friday.

“The closure would affect 1,600 schools and 728,739 students in the states and districts involved.

“Schools in Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur; Bentong in Pahang; Kuching, Samarahan, Sri Aman and Betong in Sarawak which were closed today (Thursday) will be opened as usual on Oct 23, 2015 (Friday).

“State Education Departments and District Education Offices affected are required to inform the schools and parents regarding the closure as soon as possible,” the Education Ministry said in a statement today.

According to the Department of Environment (DOE) portal, the air quality remained at the very unhealthy level in six areas in Perlis, Kedah and Penang as at 1pm today.

Worst affected was Seberang Jaya 2 at 275 followed by Bakar Arang (268), Kangar (255), Langkawi (253), Alor Setar (250) and Universiti Sains Malaysia (238).

24 areas recorded unhealthy levels, among them Tanah Merah (123) in Kelantan; Bukit Rambai (102) in Malacca; Balok Baru, Kuantan (110) in Pahang; Jalan Tasek (158) and Sekolah Kebangsaan Pegoh, Ipoh (176) and Seri Manjung (175) in Perak; Perai (196) in Penang, Tawau (109) in Sabah; Kuching (122) and Samarahan (128) in Sarawak; Banting (113), Kuala Selangor (153), Port Klang (158), Petaling Jaya (108) and Shah Alam (132) in Selangor; Kuala Terengganu (105); Batu Muda, Kuala Lumpur (105) and Putrajaya (108).

21 areas recorded moderate API readings while only Labuan had a good API reading.

An API reading of 0 to 50 indicates good air quality; 51 to 100, moderate; 101 to 200, unhealthy; 201 to 300, very unhealthy and 300 and above, hazardous.