Seoul City Issues First 'Fine Dust Emergency Reduction Measure' of the Year, Urges "Limit Outdoor Activities"

Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi jointly issue emergency reduction measures as two or more areas meet the criteria in the metropolitan area
Reduction measures implemented including shortened/adjusted work hours for Type 1-3 air emission businesses and construction sites, and enhanced road cleaning
Emission restrictions on Grade 5 vehicles will not be enforced tomorrow, a holiday on the first day of implementation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that, following the Ministry of Environment's declaration of a fine dust crisis alert at the 'Interest' level for the Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi metropolitan areas from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the 14th, it will issue a Level 1 emergency reduction measure at 5:15 p.m. on the 13th.

On that day, the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM-2.5) exceeded an average of 50 ㎍/㎥ from 0 to 4 p.m., and an advisory was issued for the entire metropolitan area. The 24-hour average on the 14th is forecasted to exceed 50 ㎍/㎥, meeting the criteria for issuing a crisis alert (Interest level). In the metropolitan area, when two or more locations meet the issuance criteria, emergency reduction measures are jointly declared and implemented.

Accordingly, Seoul will implement fine dust reduction measures on the 14th from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., including shortening and adjusting operating hours of 42 air pollutant-emitting businesses classified as types 1 to 3, shortening and adjusting construction hours at 483 construction sites generating scattered dust, restricting the use of old construction machinery, and strengthening road cleaning. Outdoor events organized by the city and autonomous districts will, in principle, be prohibited.

Among the air pollutant-emitting businesses, 12 mandatory businesses will reduce emissions by at least 15%, and 30 voluntary businesses will reduce emissions according to pre-established voluntary agreements. For road cleaning, priority management roads will be cleaned four times a day, and general roads will have their cleaning frequency increased from once to twice daily under normal circumstances.

However, due to the holiday implementation, restrictions on the operation of Grade 5 vehicles and the complete closure of parking lots at city and district administrative and public institutions, as well as bans on the operation of shared and staff vehicles for rapid COVID-19 response, will not be enforced.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government urged citizens to refrain from outdoor activities as much as possible and to pay close attention to personal health protection, such as wearing health masks when going outside inevitably.

Jung Soo-yong, Head of the Climate and Environment Headquarters, stated, "Today’s issuance is the first fine dust emergency reduction measure of the year, and we will thoroughly implement measures to reduce fine dust," adding, "We ask citizens to refrain from outdoor activities as much as possible."