During the haze period (October to December), what should we do to protect ourselves from being affected by the Haze?

Environmental Agencies of the countries affected to the haze should always release the latest air quality index readings on a regular basis to the public in order to create awareness of the air quality in the regions. It is also to alert the public to take actions when the air quality reaches the unhealthy level.

We should minimize the outdoor activities and stay indoors. If there is a need to have outdoor activities, wear a mask to filter the pollutants in the air. In times of the absence of a mask, a suitable alternative is a wet or moist cloth. It would be able to eliminate most of the haze pollutants present in the air. For the people with weak health constitution, they should always stay indoors to avoid worsening of their conditions.

Equip buildings, schools and enclosed places with air purifiers. This would help to keep the air inside the buildings clean and free from most of the haze pollutants.

Cloud seeding troops should be formed within the air force of the countries affected by the haze. In times of very unhealthy levels of air quality and shortage of rain, the troops can be sent out to seed the clouds.

Tourists who happen to visit the countries affected by the haze during that period of time should be provided with a booklet in which contains suggestions, tips and advice about where they should tour in the country — places of interest that are less affected by the haze. The booklet should be able to convey the message to them that although haze is present in the air, life can still go on normally and not compromised in any way. In other words, the tourists should still enjoy their vacation in the country despite the presence of the haze.

Posters on how to keep healthy during the haze situation should be published and put up around airports of haze-affected countries, so that when tourists arrive they would be able to read them and know who to protect themselves from the haze. Our team suggests that tourists put on facial masks when walking in the streets in the countries. Pharmacies should package skin lotions, masks and vitamin pills for tourists’ purchase. They should bring these packages together with them wherever they go.