THE hazy spell in Penang has affected the state’s tourism industry, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.
“As we know, flights to and from Penang have been impacted by the worsening haze on Wednesday.
“The haze has indeed brought inconveniences to our locals and travellers.
“Some industries are also concerned about their consignments’ prompt delivery,” he told a press conference after attending a ‘Marriage Fiesta’ at the National Registration Department (NRD) office in Jalan Anson today.
The event was held to mark the auspicious date, Sept 19, 2019.
Chow said that the state Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh has been tasked to monitor the haze situation.
He hoped that the situation would improve to minimise the impact.
Meanwhile, a hotel in George Town has stepped up its effort to ensure that its staff and guests are well protected against the haze.
M Summit 191 Executive Hotel Suites has been giving N95 masks to all its guests since yesterday (Sept 18). It also gave out masks to its staff.
The hotel is operated by M Summit Group.
Group managing director Datuk Albert Moh said: “We were concerned when the API in Penang hit unhealthy levels.
“The first thing that crossed our minds was the health and well-being of our guests and staff.”
The hotel has also posted tips to combat the haze in its Facebook page.
As at 4pm today (Sept 19), the API reading for Balik Pulau is 150, Minden 127, and Seberang Jaya 106.
The API station in Seberang Perai has a reading of 96.
An API reading of 0 to 50 is good, 51 to 100 (moderate), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy) and 301 and above (hazardous).
Story by Edmund Lee and Christopher Tan
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad and courtesy of M Summit 191
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis