Govt asks city dwellers to wear face masks outdoors

The government's Department of Environment (DoE) has floated two directions including wearing face masks outside home as the city's air quality index (AQI) reached a very unhealthy level on Wednesday.

As the AQI here reaches over 250 this morning, the DoE suggests that city dwellers wear face masks while going outdoors, an official release said.

Simultaneously, sensitive people, such as the ailing, elderly, and kids, have been advised not to go outside of their residences unless there is an emergency, it said.

The air quality index is changing every hour as it usually reaches a very unhealthy state in the city and its neighbouring areas during the dry season, the release added.