PETALING JAYA, Sept 18 — The Selangor government is looking into a proposal to provide reusable face masks to students as a precaution during the persisting haze, said state executive councillor for public health and environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin.
She added that the proposal was brought up at the State Executive Council meeting, at which Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari was present.
“For now, the state government is still gathering information, including on the type of face masks that are suitable for distribution, before any decision is made. Once there is a decision, we will announce it.
“One of the proposals is that instead of making it a one-off programme, we distribute fabric face masks that can be washed and reused and so on,” she said when met after the Selangor Zero-Bullying Campaign and the launch of the SEHAT Support Friends Hub and SEHAT Youth Hotline, officiated by KASIH Malaysia chairman Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, at M World Hotel here today.
Jamaliah said any decision is incumbent upon prevailing haze conditions and current needs, given that Air Pollutant Index (API) levels can be difficult to predict and is influenced by, among others, illegal open burning both domestically and in neighbouring countries.
On Tuesday, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said free face masks would be distributed to students to keep them safe from the haze.
Meanwhile, Jamaliah said based on state government data, API readings are set to improve over the next few days to moderate (51-100) or good (0-50) levels.
She added that agencies concerned are ramping up haze and public health monitoring, saying: “The Selangor State Health Department (JKNS) also provides updates on treatment figures from time to time so we are aware of the situation.”
Jamaliah urged government agencies and the people, especially primary and secondary school students to limit outdoor activities as the haze worsens.
