Beijing issues its first yellow alert for heavy pollution  

北京首次发布空气重污染黄色预警

(ECNS) – A yellow warning for heavily polluted air was issued at noon on Thursday in Beijing, the first one since the city issued contingency plans for air pollution last year, Beijing News reports.

The Beijing Heavy Air Pollution Contingency Plan (Trial) was issued by the municipal government on Oct 22, 2013.

A command office for heavy air pollution set up the warning on the basis of forecasts that severe air pollution will last over the next three days.

It also suggests citizens take public vehicles and schools reduce outdoor activities.