The Metropolitan Zone of the Valley of Mexico maintains the permanent surveillance on air quality, with hourly reports from the Atmospheric Monitoring Directorate. At this time, there is no active contingency phase, and the air quality outlook is low. "Acceptable" with health risk classified as "Moderate".
With this scenario, the circulation program is applied in an ordinary way and the authorities call to take reasonable precautions in outdoor activities, especially in sensitive people, while remembering that if concentrations rise, they can activate extraordinary measures such as the Environmental Contingency and the Double Hoy No Circula.
Air quality and monitoring in the ZMVM
The official network updates the air status hourly en 16 stations in Mexico City and 13 in the State of MexicoIn recent outages, air quality has remained at "Acceptable" levels in the capital and surrounding areas, with several districts in the "Good" range.
The UV index has ranged between 0 and 4 depending on the time of day, which ranges from the absence of necessary protection to the recommendation of hat, UV-filtering sunglasses and sunscreen on sensitive skin when radiation increases.
By mayor's office, records were observed "good ones"in Tlalpan, Venustiano Carranza, Miguel Hidalgo, Álvaro Obregón and Coyoacán in different cuts, while Azcapotzalco, Coyoacán and Cuauhtémoc have shown “Acceptable” periods. Several stations reported maintenance or lack of specific data.
In the State of Mexico, stations such as Atizapán, Cuautitlán Izcalli, Tultitlán, Coacalco and Ecatepec have presented conditions "Hello good", with Tlalnepantla and Naucalpan in “Acceptable” ranges. Here too, there were teams temporarily without readings due to technical service.
The local health traffic light classifies the air into five levels: Good (green), Acceptable (yellow), Bad (orange), Very Bad (red) and Extremely Bad (purple). Starting with “Bad” it is advisable restrict efforts outdoors, especially for people with asthma or other respiratory or heart conditions.
When the contingency is activated and what it entails
The environmental contingency is declared when the concentrations of pollutants they cross thresholds established by the authorities. In the region, the focus is on particulate matter PM2.5, composed of fine dust, soot and organic and metallic compounds, associated with respiratory and cardiovascular risks.
Recent reports indicate that exposure to PM2.5 in Mexico exceeds annual guide value recommended by the WHO, which keeps the megalopolis in a state of constant vigilance despite not having an active phase today.
When activated, the Megalopolis Environmental Commission can apply the Double No Circulation Today: all vehicles with hologram 2 will be stopped from circulating; half of the holograms with hologram 1 (even or odd as determined by the authority), and in certain scenarios they are extended partial restrictions to cars with hologram 0 and 00.
These extraordinary measures are being reviewed day to day and may be extended or suspended as air quality evolves. Operating hours remain from 5:00 a.m. to 22:00 p.m., so it's a good idea to check official channels before traveling.
For sensitive population (children, elderly, people with respiratory or heart diseases), it is recommended avoid strenuous activity When the index rises, use certified masks during peak pollution periods and prioritize closed spaces with adequate ventilation.
No Circulation Today: current rules, application zones, exemptions and penalties
On days without contingency, the program operates in its usual mode from Monday to Saturday, with breaks defined by sticker color and plate finishVehicles with holograms are exempt. 0 and 00, as well as electric and hybrid vehicles.
Cars with foreign plates without valid verification are considered equivalent to hologram 2 for the purposes of the program, so they face more severe restrictions. It is possible to process a Tourist Pass within certain periods to avoid penalties.
The program is governed by 5:00 - 22:00 and applies throughout the Mexico City and in 18 conurbated municipalities of the State of Mexico, in addition to its extension to the Toluca Valley and the Santiago Tianguistenco Valley.
CDMX area (16 municipalities): Alvaro Obregon, Azcapotzalco, Benito Juárez, Coyoacan, Cuajimalpa de Morelos, Cuauhtémoc, Gustavo A. Madero, iztacalco, Iztapalapa, Magdalena Contreras, Miguel Hidalgo, high milpa, Tlahuac, Tlalpan, Venustiano Carranza y Xochimilco.
Metropolitan Area of the State of Mexico (18 municipalities): Atizapan of Zaragoza, Coacalco de Berriozábal, Cuautitlan, Cuautitlan Izcalli, Chalco, Chicoloapan, Chimalhuacán, Ecatepec de morelos, Huixquilucan, ixtapaluca, Naucalpan de Juarez, Nezahualcoyotl, Nicolas Romero, Tecamac, Tlalnepantla de Baz, Tultitlan y Chalco Valley.
Toluca Valley: Almoloya de Juárez, Calimaya, Chapultepec, Lerma, Metepec, Mexicaltzingo, Ocoyoacac, Otzolotepec, Rayon, San Antonio The Island, San Mateo Atenco, Temoaya, Valley Tenango, Toluca, Xonacatlán y Zinacantepec.
Santiago Tianguistenco Valley: Almoloya del Río, Atizapán, Capulhuac, Texcalyacac y Xalatlaco.
Usual exemptions: they are excluded from the program motorcycles; agricultural, construction, or mining machinery; vehicles with license plates antique/classic; units with special plates or certificates (disability, programs self-regulation, transfer permits) and those who carry hologram EXEMPT.
Fines for non-compliance range from 20 and 30 UMA, in addition to possible immobilization and transfer to the vehicle depot until the situation is regularized. It is advisable to check the official calendar before leaving and verify the air quality in case any last-minute changes are announced.
With the air quality in the “Acceptable” range and no active contingency, the sensible thing to do is to follow the recommendations for sensitive groups, respect the Hoy No Circula and stay alert to the announcements of the CAMe and the Monitoring Directorate, since the situation can change rapidly if the pollutants rebound.