Politics · Malaysia Bureau
Parents free to choose childcare attendance during haze crisis
Malaysian authorities are leaving childcare decisions to parents as haze blankets the region, but have mandated that children remain indoors to protect their health.
LSN Malaysia ·
KUCHING, Oct 17 — While no childcare centres have received closure orders amid the ongoing haze situation, parents in affected areas are being given discretion over whether to send their children to taska facilities, Malaysia's Family Minister said on Tuesday.
The decision reflects authorities' efforts to balance health concerns with operational continuity. Parents are advised to assess conditions and make judgments based on air quality in their localities and their children's health status.
However, childcare centres that remain open must enforce strict indoor protocols. Children are not permitted to engage in outdoor activities during haze periods, with all play and recreational activities restricted to enclosed, air-filtered spaces.
The measures come as haze conditions continue affecting parts of the country. Authorities have stopped short of issuing blanket closure orders for childcare facilities, instead implementing flexible attendance policies coupled with mandatory indoor confinement rules.
Families in haze-affected regions are urged to monitor air quality index readings and health advisories from relevant authorities before making childcare attendance decisions.