Pregnant women and persons over 60 years of age from Skopje, Kicevo, Tetovo and Bitola regions should not go to work on December 18-21 due to the heavy air pollution that enveloped these areas for the last few days.

People working in open areas, such as construction workers, should perform their duties between 11.00 to 17.00h, Government spokesman Aleksandar Gjorgiev said on Tuesday. Kindergartens, primary and secondary schools are advised to avoid activities in open area by Saturday.

Furthermore the Red Cross, social work centers and local self-government units should bolster their activities for helping the vulnerable groups of citizens, such as the elderly and homeless people.

In the upcoming period all health care institutions will be ready to admit a possible inflow of patients, Gjorgiev said.

The Government also recommends for the City of Skopje and municipalities of Bitola, Kicevo and Tetovo to ban the traffic of heavy vehicles from 07.00 to 19.00h, with exception of those delivering bread and medicine, Environment Minister Abdulaqim Ademi said. Local self-governments are advised to clean the streets more often.

One of the measures calls on inspectors to bolster control of companies with A & B environmental licenses and auto repair service that use oil for heating.