France is to limit vehicle use in the capital Paris from Monday morning amid a spike in pollution to health-threatening levels, the French government has announced, reports FRANCE 24.
A system of “alternating traffic”, whereby vehicle use is restricted to alternate days depending on licence plate numbers, will come into effect in Paris and its surrounding suburbs from 5.30am Monday morning.
A decision will then be taken as to whether to extend the measure into Tuesday “depending on how the situation evolves”, a statement from the office of French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said.
"The Prime Minister is aware of the difficulties that this may cause to the everyday lives of Parisians" the statement said. "But this is a necessary measure."
It was not specified which vehicles could be used on Monday, but the statement said they would be divided between odd and even licence plate numbers.
Read more of this report from FRANCE 24.