Background on the Comisión Ambiental de la Megalópolis (CAMe)
The Comisión Ambiental de la Megalópolis (CAMe) is a Mexican environmental agency responsible for monitoring and managing air quality in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area. Its mission is to protect public health by implementing traffic restrictions during periods of high pollution levels.
Triggering the Doble Hoy No Circula Measures
On January 8, the CAMe activated Phase 1 of the atmospheric environmental contingency due to elevated ozone levels in the Zona Metropolitana del Valle de México (ZMVM). At 4:00 PM, the Cuajimalpa monitoring station recorded an hourly maximum ozone concentration of 160 parts per billion (ppb), triggering the Doble Hoy No Circula restrictions for the following day, Friday.
Vehicles Exempt from Doble Hoy No Circula Restrictions
The CAMe specified several categories of vehicles that are exempt from the Doble Hoy No Circula restrictions during Phase 1 of the contingency:
- Motorcycles are exempt from the restrictions.
- Electric and hybrid vehicles, along with those holding eco-friendly license plates or exento holograms.
- Vehicles with a hologram “0” or “00” in any state, provided they display a non-blue color and plates ending in 9 or 0.
- Privately-owned vehicles used for manifest urgent medical emergencies.
- Taxis can operate from 5:00 AM to 10:00 AM on restriction days, regardless of their hologram, to support public mobility.
- Vehicles providing urban services, including emergency, medical, health, public safety, firefighting, rescue, protection civil, environmental inspection, and water supply.
- Vehicles for school and personnel transportation, meeting current vehicle verification specifications and holding the appropriate hologram and authorization.
- Vehicles for funeral processions and funerary services, with valid verification holograms.
- Vehicles for people with disabilities, holding the relevant exemption permit, disability hologram, or disability-designated license plate according to the applicable state.
- Vehicles transporting hazardous waste and materials with proper authorization, excluding those carrying fuels (gasoline, diesel, and LPG).
- Vehicles with public service passenger and tourism tariffs (vagonetas, microbuses, and buses) holding federal or local plates that comply with current vehicle verification regulations.
- Vehicles transporting perishable goods in refrigerated units or concrete mixer trucks.
Protective Measures Against Environmental Contingency
The CAMe provided recommendations to the public to minimize health risks during the ozone contingency:
- Avoid outdoor physical activities.
- Postpone outdoor events, sports, cultural activities, or mass gatherings scheduled between 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM.
- Refrain from smoking, especially in enclosed spaces.
- Service your vehicle and home appliances regularly.
- Keep children, the elderly, and vulnerable individuals indoors.
- Check for gas leaks from heaters, stoves, and tanks.
- Consume citrus fruits, vegetables, and nuts to help prevent respiratory illnesses.
- Refuel after 6:00 PM and before 10:00 AM, avoiding overfilling after the shotgun loader’s insurance is released.
Monitoring Air Quality and Weather Conditions
The CAMe will continue monitoring air quality and weather conditions to issue an update by 8:00 PM.
