The Medical Association of Antioquia called on the National Government, as well as the regional and local ones, to establish long-term measures for air pollution, due to the effects on health that this represents.
As of this February 14, Medellín and the other nine municipalities of the Aburrá Valley are in the first episode of air quality, which will last until April 8.
For this occasion, additional measures such as the pick and plate for cargo vehicles and the extension of the restriction for motorcycles and cars, outside the usual, have not yet been activated. In addition, the circulation permit was not suspended either, which gives people the possibility of paying to leave on the day that the peak and license plate corresponds to them.
“The transitory measures that establish social differentiations based on the possibility of paying money or not to be able to circulate do not solve the problem and are just lukewarm water wipes (…) Taking into account the serious impact on human health, which represents the air pollution,” said Carlos Valdivieso, president of the Antioquia Medical College.
From the environmental authority they indicated that, according to the measurements and forecasts, this episode will not be as strong as the one that occurred in 2020, but not as mild as it was last year, in which there was no restrictive measure.
However, according to how the measurements evolve and external factors such as forest fires that affect air quality, strict measures would be taken.
“It is very possible that from February 21 there will be a peak and license plate for cargo vehicles, but it will depend on how the indicators are. It will be time that will tell if additional measures are taken, such as the suspension of the special circulation payment,” said Juan David. Palacio, director of the Aburrá Valley Metropolitan Area.
In any case, Valdivieso asked the authorities to issue more long-term measures.
“We invite the authorities of the national, regional and local order to seriously and responsibly address the present and the future of urban mobility. It is essential to generate regulations and incentives that will allow us, within 15 to 20 years, to replace the mobility linked to fossil fuels,” he said.
MEDELLIN
