Beijing imposes tough measures against pollution  

北京出台规定：空气污染亮红灯将单双号限行

日前，市委常委会通过《北京市空气重污染应急预案》，当本市发布空气污染红色预警，即预测未来持续三天出现严重污染时，机动车将实施单双号限行措施，而本市各级党政机关的公务用车在执行单双号限行措施的基础上，还将再停驶30%的车辆，即整体停驶80%；运输渣土、砂石等易扬尘的车辆将全部停驶。为方便出行，轨道交通将根据客流变化加开临时列车，晚间停运时间将延后30分钟。[查看全文]

(ECNS) -- Beijing on Wednesday approved an emergency response plan that says when a red alert on air pollution is issued, the city will limit traffic flow by implementing the odd-and-even license plate rule, and schools and kindergartens should close, according to Beijing Daily.

Eighty percent of government cars will stop running, including 50 percent of cars abiding by the odd-and-even rule and 30 percent more to be determined by the government.

All vehicles likely to raise dust such as those carrying gravel should also stop running.

The rail transit department will add temporary trains and delay closing times by half an hour.

The Standing Committee of Beijing Municipality has set the warning system at four levels -- blue, yellow, orange, and red -- with red being the highest.

A red alert will be issued when PM 2.5 reading exceeds 500 and visibility is reduced to less than 5,000 meters for three consecutive days.

In case of an orange alert, the city will order parts of factories to halt production, another part to cut their emissions by 30 percent, and some construction sites to stop working, the plan said. Fireworks and outdoor barbecues are not allowed, it added.

The central government said on Monday it is offering 5 billion yuan ($818 million) to Beijing and its neighboring provinces to fuel their fight against air pollution.