Haze Worsens, Riau Police Distribute Thousands of Masks in Pekanbaru

Pekanbaru: Air quality in Pekanbaru, Riau, has deteriorated again to unhealthy levels due to haze from land fires, prompting Riau Police officers to distribute thousands of masks to residents at several major roads. 

The Riau Police Traffic Directorate distributed 1,000 masks on Soekarno-Hatta, Sudirman, and Diponegoro streets. The masks were distributed to reduce residents’ exposure to haze, which can trigger health problems, including acute respiratory infections (ARI).

“Following the instructions of the Riau Police chief, officers in areas affected by haze are being asked to distribute masks,” Head of the Traffic Directorate’s Traffic Safety Subdirectorate (Kamsel) of Riau Police AKBP Dasril said in Pekanbaru on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.

Dasril also urged residents to exercise caution when engaging in outdoor activities. Residents are advised to reduce outdoor activities while air quality remains poor.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) reported that air quality in Pekanbaru had deteriorated from moderate to unhealthy levels. PM2.5 particulate concentrations in the capital of Riau Province reached 105.9 micrograms per cubic meter.

As a precautionary measure, the Pekanbaru City Government and Riau Provincial Government instructed students from kindergarten through high school to attend classes online for four days. The policy was introduced following deteriorating air quality that was considered potentially harmful to students’ health.

(Razaqa Hariz)