Accra:Ministry of Health All educational institutions, including schools and childcare centers, must close if the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading exceeds 200 due to the prolonged haze affecting several areas.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Ministry of Health (MOH) stated that outdoor activities and public gatherings must also be halted when the API reading reaches the "very unhealthy" to "hazardous" range.

The MOH urged compliance with these directives, emphasizing that public health is a shared priority and that these instructions should be followed seriously, consistently, and responsibly. The ministry advises the public to reduce outdoor physical activities, and co-curricular activities and outdoor exercises at educational institutions, childcare centers, and elderly care facilities should be suspended if the API reading is between 101 and 200.

Employers are instructed to provide N95 face masks to employees working outdoors, and the public is also encouraged to use N95 masks when outside. The MOH stresses that all government agencies, the private sector, employers, educational institutions, and operators of relevant premises must adhere to these directives.

The haze poses a significant public health threat, particularly affecting high-risk groups such as children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with respiratory or heart conditions. The Ministry of Health calls for preventive measures and compliance with the authorities' directives based on API readings to protect public health and safety.