The Presidential Delegation of the Metropolitan Region has confirmed the extension of the environmental alert for Monday, May 11, in Santiago, following the first critical ventilation conditions of the year. The measure, initially reported by latercera.com, aims to protect public health against the buildup of pollutants in the capital.
The decision was made following a recommendation from the Regional Ministerial Secretariat (Seremi) for the Environment. According to the report, atmospheric projections indicate that air quality will not improve significantly over the coming hours, necessitating the continuation of the restrictions that have been in place since Sunday.
As part of the protocol, authorities are maintaining a total ban on the use of wood-burning heaters and stoves, with the exception of pellet-burning units. This mandate will be strictly enforced by Seremi teams in coordination with the police (Carabineros) and local municipal authorities. Additionally, the ban on agricultural burning remains in effect across the entire region until October 31.
Regarding schools, the Ministry of Education has issued guidelines for the day's activities. The ministry recommends that physical education classes not be suspended, but requires that the intensity of activities be modified to avoid excessive oxygen consumption, prioritizing indoor exercises. This instruction also applies to recess and other breaks.
Vehicle restrictions
The decontamination plan includes a vehicle restriction schedule that will affect various types of vehicles in the province of Santiago, San Bernardo, and Puente Alto.
For vehicles without a 'green seal' (catalytic converter) registered before 2002, the restriction is total within the Américo Vespucio beltway. Outside of this perimeter, the measure applies to license plates ending in 6, 7, 8, and 9 between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. For vehicles with a green seal registered before September 1, 2011, the restriction applies to digits 8 and 9 during the same hours and within the same geographic area.
Freight transport is also affected. Trucks and pickups without a green seal face restrictions for plates ending in 6, 7, 8, and 9 inside the Américo Vespucio beltway between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Meanwhile, private and intercity transport buses without a green seal will have their circulation limited if their license plates end in 6, 7, 8, or 9, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
