Beijing issues orange alert for pollution from Oct 30 through Nov 2

Beijing activated an orange alert for heavy air pollution from 12 pm on Monday to 12 am on Friday, according to the city's weather authority on Monday morning. It is the first warning issued since the release of Beijing's revised emergency plan for heavy air pollution on Oct 25.

Beijing will experience a moderate pollution period during these days and experts remind the public to take necessary precautions against heavy air pollution, particularly older adults and individuals with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

Children, the elderly and individuals with the diseases mentioned above are advised to stay indoors as much as possible, while the general population is encouraged to reduce outdoor activities. Primary and secondary schools, vocational schools, and kindergartens are advised to adjust or suspend outdoor activities based on local air pollution conditions.

This is the first warning issued since the revised emergency plan for heavy air pollution of the city. The updated emergency plan has lowered the threshold for alert activation, including conditions such as two consecutive days of Level 5 severe pollution or three consecutive days of Level 4 moderate pollution, which would trigger an orange alert.

Under the new emergency plan, measures such as traffic restrictions on vehicles meeting certain emission standards, construction waste and soil transportation trucks, will be implemented from Tuesday to the end of Thursday.