Schools Closed In W Kalimantan's Pontianak City Due To Haze

Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Feb 5 (Antara) - Schools in the Pontianak city will remain closed between Thursday (February 6) and Tuesday (February 11) due to thick haze blanketing the city, a memo from the local Education and Culture Office stated on Wednesday. According to the memo circulated across all schools of the Pontianak city, the decision to temporarily halt education activities at schools was taken due to widespread fears of the haze endangering the health of the children. As of now, the official from the local Education and Culture Office is yet to comment on the announcement. Meanwhile, the Pontianak city`s Environmental Board noted that the air pollution levels, due to the thick haze covering the city, had changed from unhealthy to dangerous levels for humans. "The air, especially around midday to afternoon, is unhealthy, while from midnight onwards till 2 in the morning, the air pollution levels are considered dangerous for the citizens` health," Pontianak`s Chief of Environmental Board Office, Imran, remarked here on Wednesday. Imran pointed out that poor air quality has been recorded in Pontianak for the past few days. He called on the people to reduce outdoor activities and wear a mask while venturing outdoors. He also urged the people to not burn household waste and the landowners to avoid burning their plants in order to clear their land. The thick haze covering the Pontianak city has also posed a threat to the transportation sector. Jafar, a local truck driver, claimed he could not see clearly due to the thick haze. "From midnight to early morning, I could only see 50 meters ahead. The smell of haze is sharp even when I shut the car`s doors," he explained. Given the current situation, Jafar revealed that he drove in low speed during midnight. "I have to be extra cautious, as there are several vehicles plying in and out of Pontianak city during that hour," he added.