The government should instruct schools to encourage students to wear face masks in view of the worsening air quality caused by thick haze covering the skies, said Dr Cheah Soon Hai, Gerakan’s head of central bureau on environment, safety and quality of life.

He said there should also be a contingency plan as the haze situation was getting from bad to worse.

“Outdoor activities in schools should be stopped when the air quality level reached a dangerous level. In fact, students who are weak or have respiratory problems should be exempted from taking part in outdoor activities,” said Dr Cheah, who is also Derga State Assemblyman.

Dr Cheah said besides health hazards, the haze was causing poor visibility and motorists should be careful, especially driving along the north-south expressway.

He urged the Department of Environment to closely monitor the haze situation and provide regular API (Air Pollution Index) readings to the public.

DOE, he said should also be strict in enforcement to prevent open burning activities, which usually took place in the evenings.

He said the authorities should also provide haze-related information through the media, so the public can better understand the haze situation.