Pekanbaru Deputy Mayor distributes 2,000 masks amid unhealthy haze

Pekanbaru Deputy Mayor Markarius Anwar distributed approximately 2,000 health-standard masks to traders and visitors at Pasar Cik Puan on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The initiative aims to protect the public from exposure to haze, which has pushed the city's air quality into the ‘very unhealthy’ category.

Because the market is an open-air environment, traders are at a higher risk of prolonged exposure to smoke. In addition to distributing masks, officials provided education on health risks and urged the community to monitor air quality updates via the official Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) website.

Health officials advised residents to reduce outdoor activities and wear masks if they must go outside. The mask distribution program is expected to continue at other locations to mitigate the health impacts of the deteriorating air quality.