Beijing imposes tough measures against pollution  

(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.