Schools in five states reopen on 19 October with masks, and civil servants may work hybrid in haze

Education Ministry schools in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Pahang and Penang reopen today, Monday 19 October 2026, with precautions because of the haze. On the same day, civil service department heads in affected states are allowed to let staff work under the hybrid workday policy, according to Bernama and Harian Metro.

Johor is not included. All schools there stay closed until 23 October.

What applies in each state

Each state education department issued its own directive, Bernama reported, as carried by Free Malaysia Today:

• Selangor: all outdoor activities are suspended and students are asked to wear face masks. School administrators must monitor API readings and pay attention to higher-risk students. Parents worried about their child's health may keep them home, but must tell the school first.
• Negeri Sembilan: end-of-session assessments (UASA) and internal exams scheduled for this period must be postponed and rescheduled by each school. Outdoor activities must stop when the API goes above 100.
• Melaka: administrators must keep monitoring API readings from the Department of Environment. Parents are advised to check official channels or contact their schools.
• Pahang: schools in Bentong run as usual but outdoor activities are postponed until further notice. Schools in other districts run as usual.
• Penang: students are encouraged to wear masks and drink enough water. Schools must make sure drinking water supplies are adequate.

When schools close again

The Education Ministry went back to the National Haze Action Plan guidelines last week. Under them, schools close immediately when the API reaches 200. Readings of 101 to 200 are unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy and above 300 hazardous.

The report gave no current API readings for the five states. Malay Mail reported on Sunday evening that the API passed 150 in 26 areas nationwide, with Pasir Gudang, Johor, the worst at 182.

Civil servants can work hybrid

In Kuala Terengganu, Public Service Director-General Tan Sri Dr Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz said department heads in haze-hit states may let civil servants work under the Hybrid Workday (HBH) policy. He said the haze happened to come soon after HBH took effect on 1 August.

Under HBH, civil servants work three days a week in the office and two days from home or an approved alternative location. Wan Ahmad Dahlan said department heads must set Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) so that output stays the priority even when staff work from home. He also asked all civil servants in haze-hit states to wear face masks.

What parents should do

• Check your state education department and your child's school for announcements before leaving this morning.
• Pack a face mask and water bottle.
• In Selangor, tell the school first if you keep your child home.

For the API rules, read School closures in haze, KPM goes back to the API 200 rule, what applies now. The Johor update is in Johor schools stay closed until 23 October, with 30,648 asthma and URTI cases, and mask guidance is in Haze masks: MOH advises N95, and says three-ply masks give only limited protection.

Sources

• Free Malaysia Today (Bernama), Schools in 5 states to reopen tomorrow despite haze, 18 October 2026
• Harian Metro, Jerebu: Ketua jabatan disaran pertimbang Hari Bekerja Hibrid, 18 October 2026
• Malay Mail, Nationwide haze surge pushes API past 150 in 26 areas, Pasir Gudang worst at 182, 18 October 2026
• Malay Mail, Public Service Dept says Hybrid Workday policy can be used to adapt to haze conditions, 18 October 2026