Beijing smog

Beijing smog ‘red alert’: Schools and businesses to completely shut down as Chinese capital issues first ever extreme warning

The ruling will bring in sweeping new restrictions in industry and business, in an attempt to curb the deadly smog

the Independent,

8 December, 2015

Beijing has issued its first ever “red alert” over the city’s smog, with the Chinese capital going into shutdown in an attempt to protect people from the deadly air.

It is the first time ever that the highest possible state of caution has been declared in the city, which has more than 21 million residents.

The warning means schools will have to close down and construction and other industry in the capital will be limited.

Smog levels are actually lowe than they have been in recent weeks. But authorities expect an extreme amount of pollution over the coming days, and have imposed the order to ensure safety during that time.

The order will last from Tuesday morning local time until midday on Thursday, when the weather is expected to change and blow away the smog.

The city had already been in a state of orange alert, which meant some construction and industry was being curbed. The city had also issued a ruling that said cars with odd and even number plates would be stopped from driving on alternate days.