Beijing has raised its smog alert to the highest level for the first time.
The Chinese capital has issued a ‘red alert’ and has called for the closure of schools and for outdoor construction to cease.
Cars with odd and even number plates will only be allowed to drive on alternate days.
Current pollution levels in the city are actually lower than they were last week, but the alert has been raised because of the smog expected in the next few days.
Authorities are expecting more than three days of severe smog.
China’s smog problems have also been blamed for a downturn in international visitors to the country.
The problem not only affects the capital.
On Tuesday other cities in North China recorded readings around 500, classed as ‘severely polluted’ according to the official Chinese government air-quality index.
The US government’s pollution index rates smog readings from 301 to 500 as ‘hazardous.’
