14 DAY TRIAL // Authorities in China now say that, as much as they would like to help the country reduce pollution levels by forcing construction sites and companies to take a break from their daily working agenda when air quality plummets, they lack the supporting laws that would allow them to do so.
Shanghai Daily reports that, for the time being, authorities can only tell companies and construction sites that, given the elevated air pollution levels, it might not be such a bad idea for them to at least temporarily halt some activities.
They cannot, however, order them to follow this piece of advice. Besides, it would appear that no harm comes to those who choose to ignore such warnings.
“We have a team to do spot checks but they can only remind the sites to stop operation and can’t carry out any action as there is no support from the law,” says Zhu Jiangang.
“The sites which refused to obey will not be fined or receive other punishments,” the Shanghai Construction and Transport Commission specialist adds.
Given the severity of the country's ongoing air pollution crisis, authorities ask that high officials set in place supporting laws that would enable them to fight air pollution more efficiently.