Schools to reopen tomorrow, except for Johor, and some in KL and Selangor

Schools in Pahang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka, as well as in Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur’s Sentul and Keramat districts, will reopen tomorrow as air quality improves.

Schools in Kuala Lumpur’s Bangsar and Pudu districts will remain closed, with home-based teaching and learning continuing as air quality remains unhealthy.

The respective education departments announced the decision in separate statements.

They also advised schools to continue monitoring air quality and take appropriate measures to protect pupils and staff.

Pupils, particularly those with respiratory symptoms or who are in high-risk groups, were encouraged to wear face masks as a precaution.

As of 3pm, 14 areas in Peninsular Malaysia recorded unhealthy API readings, while 48 recorded moderate readings and five recorded good air quality.

Johor recorded the highest API readings, with Larkin at 178, followed by Pasir Gudang 177, Kota Tinggi 164, Segamat 159, Kluang 158, Pengerang 158, Tangkak 158 and Batu Pahat 153.

In Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu recorded an API reading of 161, while Paka recorded 153.

Other areas with unhealthy air quality include Cheras in Kuala Lumpur at 139 and Rompin in Pahang at 137.

API readings of between zero and 50 are categorised as good, 51 to 100 as moderate, 101 to 200 as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy, and 301 and above as hazardous.