Hazardous smog envelops the city of Lahore in Pakistan. Photo: KM Chaudary / AP
Lahore, Pakistan’s second largest city, is facing extremely high levels of air pollution, prompting local authorities to suspend classes in preschools and primary schools for a week. The decision, aimed at protecting children’s health, comes amid alarming air quality data, DW reports.
“Due to the impact of winds from India bringing polluted air to Lahore and smog levels reaching record levels, we have decided to close all kindergartens and primary schools,” Punjab Minister Maryam Aurangzeb said at a press conference.
According to the order, all educational institutions for children under 10, both public and private, will remain closed from Monday. On Saturday, the authorities will review the situation and decide whether to extend the measures.
Smog reaches critical level
According to Jahangir Anwar, the Punjab government’s environmental officer, the polluted air will remain for at least another six days. At present, the concentration of PM2.5, which is considered extremely hazardous to health, is 40 times higher than the WHO recommended levels in Lahore. Such levels of air pollution can lead to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, which are particularly dangerous for children.
“Smog is even more dangerous for children than COVID-19,” said Aurangzeb, adding that masks will be mandatory for high school students.
Radical measures to reduce pollution
Local authorities have already imposed a number of restrictions: polluting vehicles, outdoor barbecues and some construction work have been banned in central areas. Starting on Monday, half of the employees of public and private institutions will work remotely, and all outdoor sports events in schools have been cancelled until the end of January.
On Saturday, the air quality index in Lahore exceeded the 1,000 mark, although a value above 300 is already considered “dangerous”. The authorities have called the current situation unprecedented and are urging Lahore residents to limit their time outside to avoid negative health effects.
