North Macedonia takes emergency anti-pollution steps

The North Macedonian government announced it was to impose emergency measures in the country’s capital, Skopje, and three other cities in order to protect people from severely high levels of air pollution.

As AP reported, no sports events were to be staged on December 25 or on any day with high air pollution levels, and other outdoor activities will be curtailed.

Starting December 26, construction work will be limited to a six-hour period, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The government has recommended companies excuse pregnant women and people over age 60 from work.

The government also said it would reduce the use of its official vehicles by half, and ordered the health and welfare ministries to provide shelter for homeless people and boost emergency services and home visits to people with chronic illnesses.

The measures were announced on December 24 after days of lobbying by environmental groups asking the government to take action.