The Environmental Ministry has issued alerts for poor air quality starting from Monday. Nearly all of northern, western Taiwan and outlying Kinmen and Matsu islands are currently at orange and red levels, with the southern part of the island expected to reach red within the next couple of days.
Due to a weather pattern known as the northeasterly monsoon, winds containing ozone and fine suspended particulates are moving into Taiwan.
In response to the poor air quality, the Environmental Ministry is working with Taipower and private coal-burning power plants to reduce emissions. It also invited the environmental protection bureaus of counties and cities south of Yunlin to discuss air pollution control in a meeting in Kaohsiung on Monday. Local governments are requested to initiate contingency measures in a timely manner, including reducing emissions from factories and vehicles, managing dust at construction and storage sites, and inspecting businesses.
The Environmental Ministry expects air quality to gradually return to normal from Friday onwards. It reminds the elderly, children, and those with sensitivities to avoid prolonged strenuous activity outdoors and to use public transportation as much as possible to reduce pollution emissions.