(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency) MEXICO CITY Jumada II 08 1437 March 17 2016 SPA -- Authorities banned hundreds of thousands of cars from the roads Wednesday and offered free subway and bus rides to coax people from their vehicles as Mexico City's first air pollution alert in 11 years stretched into a third day according to AP.
Officials advised people to limit outdoor activity due to high ozone levels that were nearly double acceptable limits in the sprawling capital which lies in a high-altitude valley ringed by smog-trapping volcanic mountains.
Amid a muddy brown haze some residents covered their mouths with scarves or paper masks as they moved through the streets. Some schools kept kids indoors during recess.
Environment Secretary Alejandro Pacchiano said if conditions didn't improve further measures might be considered such as suspending industrial activity at factories. By late Wednesday afternoon pollution continued above acceptable limits.
Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera told Televisa news that about 1.1 million cars in the Valley of Mexico including nearly 450000 in the capital were ordered off the streets under the restrictions. However he later said only about 800000 had stayed off the road. He didn't explain the discrepancy but suggested some motorists drove despite the ban.
--SPA
03:57 LOCAL TIME 00:57 GMT
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