No traffic ban before July: Official

The traffic ban for the Olympics will not be imposed until July, one month before the opening of the Games, a senior city official said yesterday.

"The traffic ban will not be imposed too early it should be in July," Ji Lin, vice-mayor of Beijing and NPC deputy, said.

To ensure smooth traffic for the Beijing Games, which will open on Aug 8, the host city has promised to order vehicles to stay off roads every other day, according to even- and odd-numbered vehicle license plates.