All schools were closed to ensure that students stayed at homes to prevent their health from being severely affected by the haze, Hasan explained.
"Those, who have already arrived at schools, may leave and study at home," the chief remarked.
Hasan affirmed that his office had yet to decide on the number of days the schools would remain closed though depending on the haze intensity.
The Palangka Raya City's air pollution standard index (ISPU) at 7:40 WIB on Monday indicated that air quality in the area had reached 650, or very dangerous for people's health.
Related news: Haze-induced respiratory ailments inflict 1,136 Pekanbaru residents
Meanwhile, Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded that the air quality index in Palangka Raya City had reached 148.10 micrograms per cubic meter.
Ferry Santoso, a parent of a student, during an interview at a state school, lauded the office's move and called on the government to step up its move to ease the impacts of the haze.
"The government must not wait for the incident to occur, but they have to take precautionary measures against the wildfire," he stated.
Some 27 hectares of forests and peatlands were burnt down due to humans setting fire to land for the past two weeks.
Related news: Haze enveloping Pekanbaru compels students to wear face masks
Related news: Smog from forest fires shrouds Riau, West & Central Kalimantan
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Rendhik Andika/Genta Tenri Maw
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
