The Larnaca Municipality has instructed all staff to suspend outdoor work and activities until the current dust episode passes, as airborne particle concentrations across Cyprus exceed 200 μg/m³, according to a municipal announcement issued today.
The municipality is calling on the public, and particularly vulnerable groups including children, the elderly and people with respiratory or cardiac conditions, to avoid unnecessary movement outdoors, limit physical activity, keep windows closed and follow the guidance of the relevant authorities.
The announcement comes as Cyprus experiences one of its most extreme dust episodes in a decade. Philippos Tymvios, Director of the Department of Meteorology, told Philenews the episode is “considered extreme,” adding that episodes of this strength are recorded roughly once every ten years.
The dust originated from a low pressure system over the desert surface that lifted particles into the atmosphere, moved north and merged with barometric low Erminio over the Aegean before reaching Cyprus. The episode began at 03:00 on Thursday and is currently at its peak, with levels expected to ease after Saturday afternoon.
The Department of Labour Inspection has also ordered the suspension of all outdoor work under the 2022 Dust Episode Regulation. The Cyprus Football Association has recommended the suspension of outdoor activities, noting that PM10 levels today are many times above permitted limits.
Current air quality levels are available at www.airquality.gov.cy.
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