Air pollution to remain bad

Calm weather translates into very high pollution levels this week.

The government said that since the weather will continue to remain calm and air dispersion will remain poor, the air pollution indexes in Hong Kong will be at very high levels at the start of this week.

The Environmental Protection Department said the roadside pollution index was 189 for Causeway Bay; 177 in the Central Business District and 132 in Mong Kok last Saturday morning.

The government recommends people with heart or respiratory illnesses and the elderly and children to avoid outdoor activities when the pollution index reading rises above 100.

According to the Hong Kong Observatory, the weather will continue to be calm in the next few days. The government expects that air dispersion will remain poor and the general and roadside API readings will remain at very high levels in the next few days.

The Education Bureau urged all schools to watch out for any changes in the API in the next couple of days and to reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities for students to protect their health.