Beijing reopens roads to private cars

Starting on Thursday, Beijing will suspend its traffic policy barring private cars from roads during working hours. It wants to accommodate public needs, especially people who need to see doctors, the city announced on Wednesday afternoon.

The new measure means that people can drive all week long starting on Thursday.

Considering the current traffic situation in the city, the municipal government said it will adjust the policy according to the epidemic development and road situation as needed, the announcement said.

If the rule changes, the government will make further announcements a week in advance.

To ease traffic congestion and cut carbon emissions, the capital began a trial of a regulation in October 2008 under which private cars are banned between 6 am and 9 pm one day a week. The dates determined by the last number of the car's license plate.

The regulation has been modified and adjusted in the years since.