Serious air pollution forces many schools in Laos to close
Many schools in Laos have been closed as the country is experiencing unprecedented high levels of PM2.5 - airborne particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter - due to wildfires and farmers burning scrubland in preparation for crop planting.
Illustrative image (Source: VNA)All kindergartens in the northern provinces of Bokeo and Xayaboury have been forced to close, while the closure is imposed for all schools in Thaphabat district in the central province of Bolikhamxay from March 28-31.
Air pollution has also impacted domestic tourism as a number of visitors have either cancelled their bookings or shortened their vacations. Some flights to northern Laos have also been delayed or cancelled due to the issue.
Phu Chi Fa National Park in Thailand’s Chiang Rai province has been closed to tourists after being ravaged by a forest fire that spread over the border from Laos. Earlier, the Thai province of Nong Khai which borders Vientiane also sprayed water in a bid to lessen thick smog.
Given this, the Lao Ministry of Health has advised people to limit outdoor activities, saying pregnant woman, children and elderly people, and people with a chronic respiratory disease, should stay indoors as much as possible.
Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has urged central and local authorities to quickly control and extinguish wildfires in response to the serious pollution in many areas across the country.
He also requested relevant ministries to take urgent actions to prevent pollution from affecting the public’s health, the national economy, and the tourism industry./.
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