Schools in Lahore to reopen today as smog eases

Despite declining pollution levels Lahore remains world’s second most polluted city

LAHORE: After Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and Gujranwala, today schools in Lahore and Multan will also reopen, as the smog intensity decreases.

Regular academic activities will resume across all 36 districts of Punjab province, according to the latest notification by the Environment Protection Department. However, schools are still directed to implement the SOPs pertaining to protection from adverse effects of smog.

Both public and private schools will not be allowed to open before 8:45 AM. Staff and students will be obligated to wear masks. The ban on outdoor sports and co-curricular activities is still in place.

Furthermore, the notification directs that the timings of schools be set according to the schedule of classes to avoid traffic pressures at any given hour.

LAHORE REMAINS SECOND MOST POLLUTED CITY

The academic institutions have been allowed to reopen due to the decline in air pollution levels. However, despite this improvement, Lahore continues to maintain its position as the second most polluted city in the world.

Overall air quality index of the provincial capital was recorded at 282 on Wednesday morning. The highest air pollution in the city was recorded on Shimla Hill at 523, followed by 507 on Jail Road, 443 on Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam and 229 in DHA Phase VIII.

Also read: Weekend brings notable improvement in Lahore’s AQI index