BANGKOK, Sept 19 (TNA) – The Public Health Ministry has
warned local residents in the southern provinces of Songkhla and Yala to
refrain from outdoor activities and wear face masks when going outside to
protect themselves against haze from Indonesia’s Sumatra Island.
Dr. Sukhum Kanchanapimai, permanent secretary for public
health has monitored the haze situation and dispatched health officials to work
with the network of allies in a proactive approach to give advice to local
people.
Two thousand masks were sent to local health centers for
distribution to the public, he said.
The PM 2.5 reading on Thursday remained unhealthy at 65
microgramme per cubic metre (µg/m3) in Songkhla’s Hat Yai district and 56 µg/m3
in downtown Yala and.
Dr. Sukhum instructed people to keep abreast with the
updates from the application “air4thai” of the Pollution Control Department and
wear face masks when they go outside. Children and the elderly should stay
indoors.
People who start coughing and having difficulty in breathing
and feel dizzy due to exposure to haze should seek medical advice, he noted.
(TNA)
