Mexico City. Air quality in the Mexico City metropolitan area remains at unhealthy levels, prompting authorities to extend Phase 1 of an environmental contingency through Tuesday. The continuation of the alert comes as ozone levels have not decreased, impacting public health and leading to restrictions on vehicle traffic.
The environmental commission, known as Came, announced that vehicles with a verification hologram number 2 are prohibited from driving. Vehicles with a hologram number 1 ending in 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, or 0, as well as those with holograms 0 and 00 with a pink sticker ending in 7 or 8, are also subject to the restrictions.
Vehicles lacking a verification hologram – including older models, demonstration vehicles, new cars, those with tourist passes, out-of-state plates, or plates consisting solely of letters – face the same limitations as those with a hologram 2, and are also barred from the roads.
This marks the fourth day of environmental contingency measures in less than a week, totaling nearly 100 hours of restrictions aimed at lowering ozone levels. However, current weather conditions are not aiding in improvement efforts.
“Forecast models indicate that the anticyclonic system will continue to generate atmospheric stability over the Mexico City metropolitan area tomorrow,” Came stated in a release. “Clear skies, high solar radiation, and maximum temperatures between 25 and 27 Celsius are expected. Winds will remain light until mid-afternoon.”
Given the expected persistence of these conditions, Came forecasts that ozone concentrations will reach “very poor” air quality levels. The ongoing situation underscores the challenges of maintaining air quality in one of the world’s largest urban areas.
Restrictions also apply to 50% of liquefied petroleum gas (L.P. Gas) delivery trucks with stationary tanks that do not have a dry disconnection valve, with even-numbered license plates.
Local and federal freight vehicles are prohibited from circulating between 6:00 a.m. And 10:00 a.m., with exceptions for those participating in the self-regulation programs of Mexico City or the State of Mexico.
Taxis with holograms “00,” “0,” “1,” or “2” that are subject to the restrictions will be barred from circulating between 10:00 a.m. And 10:00 p.m.
