Italy: Vehicle restrictions continue due to hazardous smoke in Rome January 15-16

Event

A ban on diesel vehicles continues as of Wednesday, January 15, in Rome due to unhealthy air quality. On Tuesday, January 14, a smog emergency due to fine particles pollution peak forced the authorities to impose vehicle restrictions across Italy. As of Wednesday, authorities announced that the ban on diesel vehicles will remain in effect in Rome until at least Thursday, January 16. As such, all affected vehicles have been prohibited within the city's green belt zone from 07:30 to 10:30 (local time) and 04:30 to 20:30 on both days.

In Milan, a ban on diesel vehicles with up to Euro-4 standards (Euro-6 being the least-polluting category), also remains in place from 08:30 to 18:30 on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays year around.

Further restrictions are possible in the coming days across Italy.

For more information please see the following website.

Context

A concentration of PM2.5 fine dust above 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air is considered unsafe. The level permitted in Italy is 50 micrograms per cubic meter, a limit exceeded several times across Italy in recent days.

Advice

Individuals in the affected areas are advised to abide by the instructions issued by the authorities, to expect busier than normal conditions on public transit, and to limit strenuous outdoor activity during periods of elevated pollution levels due to health concerns.