A new pollution emergency response mechanism¹ is being launched in Beijing, replacing the current version.

 

北京将启用一项新的污染应急响应机制，用于代替现行方案。

 

It will mean more vehicles being taken off the roads when orange or red level alerts are issued. 

 

Wang Bin² from the Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau says the new mechanism will help reduce the direct impact on people's lives and on industries when severe air pollution hits the city.

 

"The old rule says once the red alert is issued, all schools in the city will be closed. But now, it will depend on actual air quality and will be determined³ by municipal education authorities."

 

Wang added that factories will also be asked to cut their production on the most heavily polluted days; however, those which don't produce pollution during their industrial process won't be affected⁴ by the new rules. 

 

Shanghai is also adopting a more flexible air quality warning system.

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