Cyprus schools received instructions to keep children indoors and cancel outdoor activities as increased atmospheric dust creates problems for vulnerable population groups, the Education Ministry’s Civil Defence, Security and Health Office said.
The ministry issued specific guidance for today after forecasts predicted very intense dust phenomena from the morning, emphasising the need for special attention.
When dust reaches very high levels, children and school staff must remain indoors with no outdoor activities, according to the instructions. All classroom windows must stay closed, with limited movement within schools only for essentials.
Schools must pay special attention to people with respiratory problems or other vulnerable conditions.
School managements bear responsibility for immediate daily monitoring of dust levels through the Labour Inspection Department’s Air Quality Branch website at http://www.airquality.dli.mlsi.gov.cy and the “Air Quality Cyprus” app, the ministry said.
The measurements track PM10 levels—inhalable suspended particles with diameter less than 10 micrometres in the atmosphere.
The circular emphasised that school managements must monitor dust levels and act accordingly rather than wait for instructions, as levels differ between areas and vary throughout the day.
Colour-coded system
Based on the colour-coded interface for atmospheric dust levels on www.airquality.gov.cy, school managements must monitor levels daily and apply the following protocols:
Green signal: All school activities proceed normally.
Yellow signal: All activities proceed normally. Schools should monitor children with diagnosed health problems that may worsen with airborne particles present. Mask use suggested if discomfort occurs.
Orange signal: All outdoor activities inside and outside school cancelled, including school trips and events. Physical education lessons recommended to be avoided.
Red signal: All outdoor activities cancelled. Outdoor movement limited to essentials only with mask use required. Physical education lessons cancelled. During breaks, pupils move only for essentials such as toilet use, water and going to the canteen. Where school facilities allow, management adjusts schedules to ensure environment changes and children’s rest.
If pupils show adverse symptoms due to dust, the ministry recommends visiting their doctor or First Aid Departments in consultation with parents or guardians.
Pupils must bring their own surgical masks to school during dust episodes, as during the pandemic, the ministry said.
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